Largest EPA Union Condemns Trump’s Executive Order Attacking Collective Bargaining Rights of Federal Employees

AFGE Council 238 President Calls the Order a “Shameful Assault”

WASHINGTON — American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 238 President Marie Owens Powell, representing over 8,400 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workers nationwide, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s executive order ending collective bargaining rights for over one million federal employees:

“The recent executive order from President Trump constitutes a shameful assault on the rights of federal workers. This action endangers not only federal employees and their unions, but also the fundamental right of all Americans to organize and collectively bargain for fair working conditions. 

“The contract AFGE Council 238 ratified last year includes crucial provisions meant to ensure the EPA can maintain a strong workforce and safeguard the scientific principles that guide our work, allowing us to meet this climate emergency moment. These collective bargaining agreements help—not hurt—our ability to serve the American people. Our members fought hard for this contract, and we will not go down without a fight. 

“For decades EPA employees have served this nation honorably, working to uphold environmental standards and protect the health of Americans, and they deserve far better than this blatant act of political reprisal. AFGE Council 238 will relentlessly fight to protect the rights of our members from these unprecedented attacks and the rights of the American people to live in a healthy environment.”