The VA Employee Fairness Act

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Group of nurses holding signs "Strong Union = Strong VA"

Section 7422 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code limits the collective-bargaining rights of certain Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical professionals, including registered nurses. This section restricts the ability of registered nurses to speak out about poor working conditions and to resolve disputes with management. As a result, the quality of patient care can deteriorate and problems in VA facilities can go unaddressed.

The VA Employee Fairness Act would improve patient care in VA hospitals by expanding the collective-bargaining rights of registered nurses and other clinicians employed by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The VA Employee Fairness Act passed the House of Representatives during the 117th Session with bipartisan support and was reintroduced with eight original cosponsors in the Senate and 75 in the House in May, 2025.

Learn more by reading our fact sheet »

Press releases

Nurses in hallway holding signs "No Cuts: A Healthy VA = Healthy Vets"

National Nurses United applauds the reintroduction of the VA Employee Fairness Act Bill ensures full collective bargaining rights for nurses and other VA clinicians

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United applauds Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) on the reintroduction of the VA Employee Fairness Act, a federal bill that would ensure full collective bargaining rights for nurses and other clinicians in the Veterans Health Administration.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United
May 7, 2025

VA nurses marching with signs "VA nurses deserve respect now"

RNs applaud the reintroduction of the VA Employee Fairness Act

NNU applauds Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) reintroduction of the VA Employee Fairness Act this week. The bill, which grants full collective bargaining rights to RNs and other clinicians in the Veterans Health Administration is an essential part of ensuring that our nation’s heroes receive the highest quality care possible.

National Nurses United
March 22, 2024

Sign "VA Nurses Deserve Respect Now"

RNs applaud as momentum grows to pass the VA Employee Fairness Act

National Nurses United is pleased to announce that more than 202 members of congress have co-sponsored the VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021 introduced by Rep. Mark Takano.

National Nurses United
September 26, 2022

Hands hold sign "Safe Staffing Saves Veterans"

Cincinnati VA nurses to hold an informational picket for patient safety and the VA Employee Fairness Act

RNs at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, will hold an informational picket to highlight their patient safety concerns, including dangerous short staffing.

National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United
September 6, 2022

Sign "Nurses and Veterans stand together"

Registered nurses applaud the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passage of the VA Employee Fairness Act

National Nurses United applauds the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs passage of the VA Employee Fairness Act. The legislation would allow nurses to advocate for the highest quality of patient care without threat of retaliation.

National Nurses United
May 4, 2021

Sign "VA Nurses Deserve Respect Now"

RNs applaud the reintroduction of the VA Employee Fairness Act

National Nurses United applauds Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) on the reintroduction of the VA Employee Fairness Act.

National Nurses United
March 16, 2021

3 nurses hold signs "Support Workers who Support Vets"

RNs applaud the reintroduction of VA Employee Fairness Act

National Nurses United applauds Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) on the reintroduction of federal legislation that restores full collective bargaining rights for nurses and other clinicians at the Veterans Administration medical facilities, which they say is essential to assuring high-quality care for our nation’s veterans.

National Nurses United
February 13, 2019