AFGE Local 17 · VA Central Office · Washington, D.C.
Stronger
when we
stand together.
The federal employees of VA Central Office, organized. We enforce the Master Agreement, represent members in every grievance, and fight for the jobs and future of government employees.
Fired, then reinstated with back pay: Local 17 won a member's job backWhen VA management violated a disabled veteran employee's due-process rights, the Local fought the removal and won — reinstatement, back pay, and restored benefits. That's what membership protects.
Read the caseFrom the Local
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Current campaign
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Current Campaign Protect Veterans and the VA Workforce
Tell Congress not to betray the veterans they promised to protect — defend the workforce that serves them.
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Send the letter ↗The fights so far
Recent campaigns
Letter to CongressRestore Our Rights: Pass the Protect America's Workforce Act
Urge Congress to pass the Protect America's Workforce Act and restore federal workers' union rights now.
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Letter to CongressDefend Our Constitution: Stop Executive Overreach
Urge Congress to check executive overreach and defend constitutional limits on power.
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Letter to CongressStop the Senate's Big Retaliation Bill
Tell the Senate to reject the retaliation bill targeting federal workers' rights.
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What we do
Representation, not red tape
Three jobs, every day, for every member of the bargaining unit, whether you've been here thirty years or thirty days.
We represent you
A trained representative at your side in every investigation, discipline meeting, and grievance. You never face management alone. That's a right, and we make sure you use it.
We enforce the contract
The Master Agreement is only as strong as the people who hold management to it. We file grievances, win back pay, and fix what's broken on the floor.
We build power
Safe staffing, official time, fair scheduling, and respect for the people who serve veterans. We organize so the answer to "that's just how it is" can be no.
In their own words
What members say
Reinstated with back pay
I am an attorney for BVA and had been terminated due to Board management's anticipation that I would fail my annual performance goal. As a result of Calanit Kedem's representation, I was reinstated with back pay. Her knowledge and advocacy made all the difference in my case.
Promotion granted
JR Cummings is an advocate and litigator with phenomenal communication skills. I am an attorney at BVA who was denied promotion to GS-14. JR not only possessed an excellent grasp of the unique facts and data associated with my case, but he was also able to present facts and data (i.e., spreadsheets, etc.) in a compelling, agile and persuasive fashion — while at the same time, maintaining cordiality and professionalism with everyone involved. JR also was always frank and responsive to any concerns I might have about my case, tailoring evidence in a way that addressed those concerns. Ultimately, my promotion was granted — with back pay. I am very, very grateful for JR's zealous advocacy!
Best decision I made
In the beginning, I did not know how things would transpire. However, getting representation from the Union (Local 17) was one of the best decisions I made. Not only did they handle my cases with precision and tact, they treated me like I was the only client they had. They were aggressive and they didn't back down to management, I loved every bit of it. I'm forever grateful for them.