Overview

• On August 8, the EPA unilaterally dissolved collective bargaining agreements with four labor unions, effective immediately.
• Contracts affected include those with AFGE Council 238, the National Association of Government Employees, Engineers and Scientists of California, and the National Association of Independent Labor.
• Justin Chen, president of AFGE Council 238, condemned the move as unlawful and vowed to file a federal lawsuit challenging the terminations.
• EPA officials say the action implements President Trump’s March executive order excluding certain federal employees from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs.
• The contract cancellations form part of a wider administration effort to downsize the federal workforce and curb union influence.