News | AFGE Council 238

December 4, 2020 The Hill

Federal workers stuck it out with Trump — now, we’re ready to get back to work

After four long years, we’re ready for an administration that understands federal workers are not the enemy — we are the backbone of our country. There is a lot of work to do. EPA workers are up for the challenge and waiting to get started. But first - see us, listen to us, earn our trust. Help us help you.

December 4, 2020 The Hill

EPA union buys subscription after agency canceled contract with news outlet dedicated to covering it

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) largest union is independently subscribing to one of the largest environmental publications, E&E News, after the agency abruptly canceled its subscription in July.

December 4, 2020 Federal News Network

EPA employees fear phase three reopening, declare ‘no confidence’ in agency safety efforts

Several hundred employees at the Environmental Protection Agency announced this week they have “no confidence” in their leadership’s ability to keep them safe from the ongoing pandemic. “We know what things are needed to safely return to an office: Masks, testing and vaccines. All those things are known,” said Brian Kelly, a union representative from EPA’s region 5 in Chicago and the Midwest.

December 4, 2020 E&E News

Union votes ‘no confidence’ on EPA’s reopening plans

American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, which represents about 7,500 EPA employees, said the agency has not addressed concerns about worker safety. The union has pushed to have employees continue teleworking until a safe vaccine is available, but EPA began a phased approach to reopening.

November 24, 2020

AFGE Council 238’s Statement On Joe Biden’s Election

AFGE Council 238 congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their decisive victory. Science and the scientists at the heart of the EPA were on the ballot, and the candidate who believes in science and strengthening workers’ rights has won.

August 6, 2020 The Hill

EPA, employee union sign contract after years of disputes

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a major employee union signed an agreement Thursday after years of disputes. Both the EPA and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) praised the contract, saying that it provides significant rights for employees.

August 6, 2020 Bloomberg Law

‘Decolonization’ Group Alleges Racial Bias at EPA Field Office

The EPA’s biggest employee union says agency leaders have rebuffed requests to meet with a “decolonization committee” it formed to address what it contends is longstanding racial bias in the regulator’s Chicago office.

July 25, 2020 Salon

OP-ED: The EPA’s culture was already toxic. Now, they’re putting employees at risk for COVID for no reason

While EPA's return-to-office plan has been an assault on the health and safety of all our workers, EPA management has made no acknowledgement of the facts: Black Americans are three times as likely to die from COVID-19 as their white counterparts. Latinos are also dying at disproportionately elevated rates when compared to whites.

July 6, 2020 New York Times

As Coronavirus Cases Rise, the Federal Work Force Heads Back to the Office

Federal employees are being ushered back to office buildings under inconsistent and conflicting reopening plans, against the wishes of leaders in the nation’s capital.

June 15, 2020 Philadelphia Inquirer

Philly EPA workers object to reopening office amid coronavirus fears

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that it has started the process of reopening its Philadelphia office, a regional headquarters for five states and Washington, D.C., prompting the agency’s largest union to question whether it is safe to return amid the coronavirus pandemic.