Case: American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305 v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs

1:25-cv-00583 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: Nov. 4, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

On November 4, 2025, American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC) and American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305 filed suit in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island against the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). NVAC is an autonomous labor organization affiliated with the American Federation of Government Employees that represents, and bargains on behalf of, more than 300,000 bargaining unit employees at the VA. Since August 8, 2023, the VA and NVAC have been parties to the 2023 Master Collective Bargaining Agreement (Master Agreement) that recognizes NVAC’s right as the sole and exclusive representative of the VA bargaining unit employees that it represents and that provides those employees with a variety of workplace rights.

In their complaint, plaintiffs allege that on August 6, 2025, VA Secretary Douglas Collins unlawfully terminated the Master Agreement and informed NVAC that the VA would no longer recognize NVAC as the exclusive representative of over 300,000 bargaining unit employees. Plaintiffs alleged that the termination was arbitrary and capricious under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) because Secretary Collins did not provide a rationale for termination, nor did he adhere to the requirements and text of Executive Order 1425 - the Executive Order providing authority to terminate federal collective bargaining agreements. Plaintiffs further alleged that the termination violated their First Amendment and Equal Protection Rights because this termination was unconstitutional retaliation and viewpoint discrimination for perceived opposition to President Trump's agenda. Plaintiffs asked for declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent defendants from terminating the Master Agreement.

This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose.

On November 25, 2025, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, alleging that terminating the master agreement also violated plaintiffs' Fifth Amendment right to equal protection because the plaintiffs were treated as disfavored solely because they were viewed as politically and ideologically opposed to the Trump Administration and otherwise "hostile" to the Administration's initiatives.

Also on November 25, 2025, plaintiffs moved for a preliminary injunction, asking the court to reinstate the master agreement.

This case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose.

After a February 27 motion hearing, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction on March 13, 2026. The court found that the plaintiffs were likely to succeed on their claims that the termination of the master agreement was retaliatory against their political speech and arbitrary under the APA. The court additionally found that the VA failed to provide a valid national security justification, relying instead on post-hoc rationalizations for a decision that caused irreparable harm to workers. Consequently, the court issued a preliminary injunction requiring the defendants to reinstate the master agreement for the remainder of the agreed-upon term provided in the agreement.

On March 20, 2026, the plaintiffs filed a motion to enforce the preliminary injunction, which alleged that the defendants were failing to comply with the courts’ order.

The same day, the defendants filed a motion to clarify the preliminary injunction, stating that they were confused by perceived ambiguities in the order.

The court granted the defendants’ motion to clarify on March 23, 2026. In its order, the court expressed frustration, indicating that it did “not know how to state the order any more simply or directly.” However, it explained that the preliminary injunction “ordered the defendants to reinstate the Master CBA. The additional plain language simply acknowledged that the Master CBA has an agreed-upon term and may have "amendments, local supplemental agreements, and memoranda of understanding" related thereto using the terms employed by plaintiffs in their motion, and not questioned by the defendants in their response in opposition.” The court further stated that it was “at a loss to understand how that conclusion and the resulting injunction could possibly be read to order that (1) the defendants are wholesale prohibited from terminating the Master CBA again prior to the end of the three-year term governing the contract or (2) the defendants must reinstate any contract that is not encompassed by the Master CBA and agreements related thereto as identified above. To reinstate the Master CBA means that all parties covered by this contract will continue to be covered by this contract until it is terminated or amended in a lawful manner.”

On March 26, 2026, the defendants filed a status report notifying the court that the VA re-terminated the Master CBA.

The following day, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion to enforce the preliminary injunction. The court ordered the defendants to immediately notify bargaining units that, pursuant to the preliminary injunction, the re-termination letter shall not be given any force or effect, the Master CBA shall remain applicable and binding in both form and substance, and the currently pending grievances and arbitrations submitted under the Master CBA will continue to be processed. The court further ordered the defendants to file a status report by Wednesday, April 1 to confirm compliance with this order. Additionally, the court ordered the defendants to show cause by March 31 why the court should not consider the re-termination letter to be in blatant violation of the preliminary injunction and therefore in contempt of the court. The court scheduled a show cause hearing for April 3, 2026.

The defendants filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on March 27, 2026.

This case is ongoing.

Summary Authors

Nick Martire (11/11/2025)

Sofia Yoder (3/29/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71873221/parties/american-federation-of-government-employees-local-2305-v-united-states/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dooley, Brook (Rhode Island)

Iafrate, Carly B. (Rhode Island)

Li, JiLon (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Defendant

Becker, Tyler J. (Rhode Island)

Hyatt, Andrea Lena (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Dooley, Brook (Rhode Island)

Iafrate, Carly B. (Rhode Island)

Li, JiLon (Rhode Island)

Reeves, Taylor L. (Rhode Island)

Silva, Travis (Rhode Island)

Wheeler, Alexandra (Rhode Island)

Attorney for Defendant

Becker, Tyler J. (Rhode Island)

Hyatt, Andrea Lena (Rhode Island)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Documents in this case

1 1:25-cv-00583	Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief	Nov. 4, 2025	Nov. 4, 2025 Complaint
13 1:25-cv-00583	Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs	Nov. 25, 2025	Nov. 25, 2025 Complaint
14 1:25-cv-00583	Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Relief Under 5 U.S.C. § 705 American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs	Nov. 25, 2025	Nov. 25, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
14-1 1:25-cv-00583	Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Motion for Preliminary Injunction American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs	Nov. 25, 2025	Nov. 25, 2025 Pleading / Motion / Brief
30 1:25-cv-00583	Memorandum and Order	March 13, 2026	March 13, 2026 Order/Opinion 2026 WL 709856

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71873221/american-federation-of-government-employees-local-2305-v-united-states/

Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:31 a.m.

ECF Number	Date	Description	Link
1	Nov. 4, 2025	COMPLAINT ( filing fee paid $ 405.00, receipt number ARIDC-2204972 ), filed by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit, # 2 Exhibit, # 3 Exhibit, # 4 Exhibit, # 5 Exhibit, # 6 Civil Cover Sheet, # 7 Summons, # 8 Summons, # 9 Summons, # 10 Summons)(Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025) 1 Exhibit View on PACER 2 Exhibit View on PACER 3 Exhibit View on PACER 4 Exhibit View on PACER 5 Exhibit View on PACER 6 Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER 7 Summons View on PACER 8 Summons View on PACER 9 Summons View on PACER 10 Summons View on PACER	Clearinghouse
2	Nov. 4, 2025	MOTION for Alexandra Wheeler to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2205002 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
3	Nov. 4, 2025	MOTION for Brook Dooley to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2205006 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
4	Nov. 4, 2025	MOTION for JiLon Lee to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2205009 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
5	Nov. 4, 2025	MOTION for Taylor L. Reeves to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2205020 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
6	Nov. 4, 2025	CASE OPENING NOTICE ISSUED (Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
7	Nov. 4, 2025	MOTION for Travis Silva to Appear Pro Hac Vice ( filing fee paid $ 100.00, receipt number ARIDC-2205025 ) filed by All Plaintiffs. (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
8	Nov. 4, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Carly B. Iafrate on behalf of All Plaintiffs (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
9	Nov. 4, 2025	EXHIBIT IN SUPPORT by All Plaintiffs in support of 1 Complaint, Exhibit A - Part 1. (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
10	Nov. 4, 2025	EXHIBIT IN SUPPORT by All Plaintiffs in support of 1 Complaint, Exhibit A - Part 2. (Iafrate, Carly) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
11	Nov. 4, 2025	Summons Issued as to Douglas Collins, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General. (Attachments: # 1 Summons, # 2 Summons, # 3 Summons)(Simoncelli, Michael) (Entered: 11/04/2025)	RECAP
	Nov. 4, 2025	Case Assigned/Reassigned
	Nov. 4, 2025	Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice
	Nov. 4, 2025	Case assigned to District Judge Melissa R. DuBose and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. (Simoncelli, Michael)
	Nov. 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 2 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Alexandra Wheeler. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 11/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	Nov. 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 3 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Brook Dooley. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 11/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	Nov. 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 4 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of JiLon Li. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 11/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	Nov. 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 5 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Taylor L. Reeves. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 11/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
	Nov. 4, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 7 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice of Travis Silva. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 11/4/2025. (Hill, Cherelle)
12	Nov. 14, 2025	CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE Returned Executed by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council. Douglas Collins served on 11/6/2025, answer due 1/5/2026; United States Department of Veterans Affairs served on 11/6/2025, answer due 1/5/2026. (Silva, Travis) Modified on 11/17/2025 to correct docket text (Urizandi, Nissheneyra). (Entered: 11/14/2025)	RECAP
13	Nov. 25, 2025	AMENDED COMPLAINT against All Defendants, filed by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G)(Silva, Travis) (Entered: 11/25/2025) 1 Exhibit A View on PACER 2 Exhibit B View on PACER 3 Exhibit C View on PACER 4 Exhibit D View on PACER 5 Exhibit E View on PACER 6 Exhibit F View on PACER 7 Exhibit G View on PACER	Clearinghouse
14	Nov. 25, 2025	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 12/9/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Supporting Memorandum, # 2 Decl. of T. Silva, # 3 Decl. of W. Wetmore, # 4 Decl. of M. Burke, # 5 Decl. of F. Sacchi, # 6 Decl. of S. Chaves, # 7 Decl. of I. Kedson, # 8 Decl. of D. Mitchell)(Silva, Travis) (Entered: 11/25/2025) 1 Supporting Memorandum View on RECAP 2 Decl. of T. Silva View on RECAP 3 Decl. of W. Wetmore View on RECAP 4 Decl. of M. Burke View on RECAP 5 Decl. of F. Sacchi View on RECAP 6 Decl. of S. Chaves View on RECAP 7 Decl. of I. Kedson View on RECAP 8 Decl. of D. Mitchell View on RECAP	Clearinghouse
15	Dec. 2, 2025	NOTICE of Appearance by Andrea Lena Hyatt on behalf of All Defendants (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 12/02/2025)	RECAP
16	Dec. 5, 2025	Joint MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Response/Reply as to 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Douglas Collins, United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Responses due by 12/19/2025. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 12/05/2025)	RECAP
	Dec. 8, 2025	TEXT ORDER granting 16 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply re 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction . Responses due by 12/19/2025. Replies due by 1/6/2026. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 12/8/2025. (Simoncelli, Michael)
	Dec. 8, 2025	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply
17	Dec. 19, 2025	RESPONSE In Opposition to 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Douglas Collins, United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Replies due by 12/26/2025. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit)(Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 12/19/2025) 1 Affidavit View on PACER	RECAP
18	Dec. 31, 2025	Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Answer re 13 Amended Complaint, filed by All Defendants. Responses due by 1/14/2026. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 12/31/2025)	RECAP
	Jan. 5, 2026	TEXT ORDER granting 18 Motion for Extension of Time. Reset Deadlines as to 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Responses due by 2/4/2026. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 1/5/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	Jan. 5, 2026	AMENDED TEXT ORDER granting 18 Motion for Extension of Time. Reset Deadlines: Defendants U.S. Dept of Veteran Affairs and Douglas A. Collins shall file a responsive pleading to the plaintiffs' Amended Complaint, ECF No. 13, on or before February 4, 2026. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 1/5/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra) Modified on 1/6/2026 (Urizandi, Nissheneyra).
	Jan. 5, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
19	Jan. 6, 2026	REPLY to Response re 17 Response to Motion, filed by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of T. Reeves)(Silva, Travis) (Entered: 01/06/2026) 1 Declaration of T. Reeves View on PACER	RECAP
	Jan. 28, 2026	NOTICE of Hearing re 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction: Hearing set for 2/19/2026 at 11:00 AM in Courtroom 4 before District Judge Melissa R. DuBose. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	Jan. 28, 2026	Notice of Hearing on Motion
20	Jan. 29, 2026	Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Answer re 13 Amended Complaint, filed by All Defendants. Responses due by 2/12/2026. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 01/29/2026)	RECAP
	Jan. 30, 2026	TEXT ORDER granting 20 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Defendants shall file an answer or otherwise respond to Plaintiffs' Amended Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief, ECF No. 13, on or before March 6, 2026. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 1/30/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	Jan. 30, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
21	Feb. 17, 2026	NOTICE of Appearance by Tyler J. Becker on behalf of All Defendants (Becker, Tyler) (Entered: 02/17/2026)	RECAP
22	Feb. 18, 2026	NOTICE by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council of Supplemental Authority (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Alexandra Wheeler ISO Notice of Supplemental Authority)(Silva, Travis) (Entered: 02/18/2026) 1 Declaration of Alexandra Wheeler ISO Notice of Supplemental Authority View on RECAP	RECAP
	Feb. 19, 2026	Minute Entry for proceedings held before District Judge Melissa R. DuBose: Motion Hearing held on 2/19/2026 re 14 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council, American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305. (T. Silva, J. Li, T. Becker, A. Wyatt) Arguments heard. The Court takes matter under advisement and will issue a written ruling at a later date. (Court Reporter Lisa Schwam in Courtroom 4 at 11:00 AM) (Urizandi, Nissheneyra) Modified on 2/27/2026 to change date of hearing. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra).
23	Feb. 24, 2026	TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on February 19, 2026 before Judge Melissa R. Dubose. Expedited Transcript selected. Transcript to be delivered within 7 calendar days.. (Wheeler, Alexandra) (Entered: 02/24/2026)	RECAP
24	Feb. 25, 2026	TRANSCRIPT ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENT Entered re: 23 Transcript Order. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Lisa Schwam. (Dias, Jennifer) (Entered: 02/25/2026)	RECAP
25	Feb. 25, 2026	TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 2/19/2026 before Judge Dubrose. Ordinary Transcript delivery selected. Transcript to be delivered in 30 days.. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 02/25/2026)	RECAP
26	Feb. 26, 2026	NOTICE by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council of Supplemental Authority (Silva, Travis) (Entered: 02/26/2026)	RECAP
	Feb. 27, 2026	Motion Hearing
27	March 2, 2026	NOTICE by Douglas Collins, United States Department of Veterans Affairs re 26 Notice (Other) Responding to Plaintiffs' Notice of Supplemental Authority (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 03/02/2026)	RECAP
28	March 5, 2026	Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Answer re 13 Amended Complaint, filed by All Defendants. Responses due by 3/19/2026. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 03/05/2026)	RECAP
	March 10, 2026	TEXT ORDER granting 28 Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Douglas Collins answer due 4/6/2026; United States Department of Veterans Affairs answer due 4/6/2026. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 3/10/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	March 10, 2026	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer
29	March 12, 2026	TRANSCRIPT of Preliminary injunction hearing held on 02/19/2026 before Judge DuBose. Court Reporter/Transcriber Lisa Schwam, Telephone number 401-752-7128. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. NOTICE TO COUNSEL: Redaction Requests must be filed for personal identifiers only. All other redactions must be requested by motion. For local policy and sample redaction request visit our website at www.rid.uscourts.gov and select Transcripts under the Case Information menu option. Redaction Request due 4/2/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/13/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/10/2026. (Schwam, Lisa) (Main Document 29 replaced on 3/13/2026) (Urizandi, Nissheneyra). (Entered: 03/12/2026)	RECAP
30	March 13, 2026	MEORANDUM AND ORDER: The Plaintiffs' Motion for Preliminary Injunction (ECF No. 14 ) is GRANTED. The Defendants shall reinstate the Master CBAas well as any amendments, local supplemental agreements, and memoranda of understanding that were in place subsidiary to the Master CBAfor the remainder of the agreed-upon term provided in the Master CBA. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 3/13/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra) (Entered: 03/13/2026)	Clearinghouse
31	March 16, 2026	NOTICE by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council re 30 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, [Notice of Posting Bond] (Silva, Travis) (Entered: 03/16/2026)	RECAP
	March 16, 2026	DOCKET NOTE: Received $1000.00 Bond Payment from Carly B. Iafrate. (Hill, Cherelle)
	March 17, 2026	Public Docket Note
32	March 20, 2026	MOTION to Clarify 30 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, filed by Douglas Collins, United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Responses due by 4/3/2026. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 03/20/2026)	RECAP
33	March 20, 2026	MOTION Enforce Preliminary Injunction Order filed by All Plaintiffs. Responses due by 4/3/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Supporting Memorandum, # 2 Declaration of Alexandra Wheeler and Exhibits in support)(Silva, Travis) (Entered: 03/20/2026) 1 Supporting Memorandum View on RECAP 2 Declaration of Alexandra Wheeler and Exhibits in support View on RECAP	RECAP
	March 22, 2026	AMENDED TEXT ORDER: The Government is directed to respond to the 33 MOTION Enforce Preliminary Injunction Order on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 by close of business day. Replies are due on Thursday, March 26, 2026 by close of business day. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 3/22/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	March 22, 2026	Order
	March 23, 2026	TEXT ORDER: Before the Court is Defendants Motion to Clarify the Preliminary Injunction entered on March13, 2026. ECF No. 32 . The Defendants claim to be confused by two ambiguities they perceive in the text of the preliminary injunction order. The Court does not know how to state the order any more simply or directly. The Court concluded that the Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the August 2025 termination of the Master CBA was a retaliatory action in violation of the First Amendment and an arbitrary and capricious agency action in violation of the APA. The Court ordered the Defendants to reinstate the Master CBA. The additional plain language simply acknowledges that the Master CBA has an agreed-upon term and may have "amendments, local supplemental agreements, and memoranda of understanding" related thereto using the terms employed by Plaintiffs in their motion, ECF No. 14 at 2, and not questioned by the Defendants in their response in opposition. The Court is at a loss to understand how that conclusion and the resulting injunction could possibly be read to order that (1) the Defendants are wholesale prohibited from terminating the Master CBA again prior to the end of the three-year term governing the contract or (2) the Defendants must reinstate any contract that is not encompassed by the Master CBA and agreements related thereto as identified above. To reinstate the Master CBA means that all parties covered by this contract will continue to be covered by this contract until it is terminated or amended in a lawful manner. As the Defendants themselves explain in their pending motion, to have entered an order enjoining the Defendants beyond the scope the Court articulated would step beyond the Courts authority at this juncture of the case. The Defendants' Motion to Clarify is, accordingly, GRANTED. As the Defendants prepare their response to the Plaintiffs' pending Motion for Enforcement (ECF No. 33 ), the Court expects that the Defendants' compliance with the plain language of the preliminary injunction order will not be delayed. To be clear, the pending motion for enforcement is no reason to delay compliance with the Court's March 13, 2026 order to reinstate the Master CBA in full. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 3/23/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
	March 23, 2026	Order on Motion to Clarify
34	March 24, 2026	RESPONSE In Opposition to 33 MOTION Enforce Preliminary Injunction Order filed by All Defendants. Replies due by 3/31/2026. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 03/24/2026)	RECAP
	March 24, 2026	NOTICE of Hearing re 33 MOTION Enforce Preliminary Injunction Order: Hearing set for 3/27/2026 at 9:30 AM by Zoom Hearing before District Judge Melissa R. DuBose. Zoom access information will be emailed to all counsel. The public will be able to access this hearing on the Court's YouTube channel: www.YouTube.com/USCourtsRID.
	March 24, 2026	Notice of Hearing on Motion
35	March 26, 2026	REPLY to Response re 34 Response to Motion to Enforce the Preliminary Injunction filed by All Plaintiffs. (Silva, Travis) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	RECAP
36	March 26, 2026	STATUS REPORT by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Notice)(Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 03/26/2026) 1 Exhibit Notice View on RECAP	RECAP
37	March 26, 2026	NOTICE by American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, American Federation of Government Employees National VA Council re 36 Status Report Response to Defendants Status Report (Silva, Travis) (Entered: 03/26/2026)	RECAP
38	March 27, 2026	TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 3/27/2026 before Judge DuBose. Daily Transcript selected. Transcript to be delivered following adjournment and prior to the normal opening hour of court on the following morning.. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
39	March 27, 2026	ORDER granting 33 MOTION Enforce Preliminary Injunction Order. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 3/27/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
40	March 27, 2026	TRANSCRIPT ORDER for proceedings held on 3/27/2026 before Judge Melissa R. Dubose. Daily Transcript selected. Transcript to be delivered following adjournment and prior to the normal opening hour of court on the following morning.. (Wheeler, Alexandra) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
41	March 27, 2026	TRANSCRIPT ORDER ACKNOWLEDGMENT Entered re: 38 Transcript Order, 40 Transcript Order,. Daily Transcript Ordered. Court Reporter/Transcriber: Lisa Schwam. (Dias, Jennifer) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
42	March 27, 2026	NOTICE OF APPEAL by Douglas Collins, United States Department of Veterans Affairs as to 30 Memorandum and Order re: 14 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, 39 Order on Motion Enforce Preliminary Injunction Order. (No fee paid, USA, Waived by Statute, or IFP.) NOTICE TO COUNSEL: Counsel should register for a First Circuit CM/ECF Appellate Filer Account at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/cmecf/. Counsel should also review the First Circuit requirements for electronic filing by visiting the CM/ECF Information section at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cmecf Appeal Record due by 4/3/2026. (Hyatt, Andrea) Docket text corrected on 3/27/2026 to reflect correct the names of the motions linked to the appeal. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
43	March 27, 2026	CLERK'S CERTIFICATE AND APPELLATE COVER SHEET: Abbreviated record on appeal consisting of notice of appeal, order(s) being appealed, and a copy of the district court docket report transmitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in accordance with 1st Cir. R. 11.0(b) re: 42 Notice of Appeal. Documents Sent: 30, 39. (Attachments: # 1 Record on Appeal) (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana) (Entered: 03/27/2026) 1 Record on Appeal View on PACER	RECAP
44	March 27, 2026	TRANSCRIPT of Motion held on 03/27/2026 before Judge DuBose. Court Reporter/Transcriber Lisa Schwam, Telephone number 401-752-7128. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the Court Reporter/Transcriber before the deadline for Release of Transcript Restriction. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. NOTICE TO COUNSEL: Redaction Requests must be filed for personal identifiers only. All other redactions must be requested by motion. For local policy and sample redaction request visit our website at www.rid.uscourts.gov and select Transcripts under the Case Information menu option. Redaction Request due 4/17/2026. Redacted Transcript Deadline set for 4/27/2026. Release of Transcript Restriction set for 6/25/2026. (Schwam, Lisa) (Entered: 03/27/2026)	RECAP
	March 27, 2026	USCA Case Number
	March 27, 2026	USCA Case Number 26-1321 for 42 Notice of Appeal, filed by Douglas Collins, United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (Gonzalez Gomez, Viviana)
45	March 29, 2026	Emergency MOTION to Stay re 30 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, 39 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief filed by All Defendants. Responses due by 4/13/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Supporting Memorandum, # 2 Exhibit Engelbaum Decl.)(Becker, Tyler) (Entered: 03/29/2026) 1 Supporting Memorandum View on PACER 2 Exhibit Engelbaum Decl. View on PACER	RECAP
	March 30, 2026	Order
	March 30, 2026	TEXT ORDER: Plaintiffs' response to the 45 Emergency Motion to Stay shall be filed by close of business on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The contempt proceeding is held in abeyance pending the Circuit's disposition of the appeal. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 3/30/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)
46	April 1, 2026	Assented MOTION for an Extension of Time to File Answer re 13 Amended Complaint, filed by All Defendants. Responses due by 4/15/2026. (Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 04/01/2026)	RECAP
47	April 1, 2026	RESPONSE In Opposition to 45 Emergency MOTION to Stay re 30 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction, 39 Order on Motion for Miscellaneous Relief filed by All Plaintiffs. Replies due by 4/8/2026. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Pace Schwarz, # 2 Supplemental Declaration of Mary Jean Burke)(Silva, Travis) (Entered: 04/01/2026) 1 Declaration of Pace Schwarz View on PACER 2 Supplemental Declaration of Mary Jean Burke View on PACER	RECAP
48	April 1, 2026	STATUS REPORT by All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit Notice)(Hyatt, Andrea) (Entered: 04/01/2026) 1 Exhibit Notice View on PACER	RECAP
49	April 2, 2026	STATUS REPORT Response to 48 Defendants' Status Report by All Plaintiffs. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Mary-Jean Burke, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E, # 7 Exhibit F, # 8 Exhibit G, # 9 Exhibit H)(Silva, Travis) (Entered: 04/02/2026) 1 Declaration of Mary-Jean Burke View on RECAP 2 Exhibit A View on PACER 3 Exhibit B View on PACER 4 Exhibit C View on PACER 5 Exhibit D View on PACER 6 Exhibit E View on PACER 7 Exhibit F View on PACER 8 Exhibit G View on PACER 9 Exhibit H View on PACER	RECAP
	April 6, 2026	Order on Motion to Stay
	April 6, 2026	TEXT ORDER: Before the Court is the Defendants' Emergency Motion to Stay this Courts Preliminary Injunction Order (ECF No. 30 ) and Enforcement Order (ECF No. 39 ). ECF No. 45 . The Court has carefully considered the Defendants' arguments, the Plaintiffs' arguments in opposition to the motion (ECF No. 47 ), and the caselaw related to the parties' arguments. The First Circuit is clear that "'[a]stay is an intrusion into the ordinary processes of administration and judicialreview' and is not granted as 'a matter of right.'" State v. UnitedStates Dep't of Hous. & Urb. Dev., No. 26-1217, 2026 WL 887242, at 8(1st Cir. Apr. 1, 2026) ("HUD") (quoting Nken v. Holder, 556 U.S.418, 427 (2009)). By simply reiterating arguments already made to this Court in this case and attempting to debut new arguments not previously made to the Court while it considered the Plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction, the Defendants have fallen far short of meeting their "burden of justifying the extraordinary relief it requests." New York v. Kennedy,155 F.4th 67, 72 (1st Cir. 2025). Specifically, the Defendants have failed to persuade this Court that it is likely to succeed on the merits of their appeal, that they will be irreparably injured without the stay, that other parties interested in the proceeding will be irreparably injured, or that the public's interest will be adversely affected. See Nken, 556 U.S. at 426; HUD, 2026 WL 887242, at 8; New York, 155 F.4th at72. The Court acknowledges and appreciates the Defendants' status report indicating that the parties are in discussions about compliance with the Court's orders. ECF No. 48 . While the First Circuit adjudicates the merits of the interlocutory appeal, this Court expects the parties' full compliance, in both form and substance, with its prior orders. So Ordered by District Judge Melissa R. DuBose on 4/6/2026. (Urizandi, Nissheneyra)

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Rhode Island

Case Type(s):

Public Benefits/Government Services

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Nov. 4, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are American Federation of Government Employees National Veterans Affairs Council (NVAC) and American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305, who represent over 300,000 federal employees at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: Unknown

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Federal

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Douglas Collins

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Equal Protection

Freedom of speech/association

Other Dockets:

District of Rhode Island 1:25-cv-00583

U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 26-01321

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Relief Sought:

Attorneys fees

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Preliminary injunction / Temp. restraining order

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority:

Civil Service

Recommended Citation

Case Summary of American Federation of Government Employees Local 2305 v. United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, http://www.dev.clearinghouse.net/case/47106/ (last updated 3/29/2026).