Overview

• On August 8, the EPA unilaterally dissolved its collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238, which represents about 8,000 staffers.
• The agency cited President Trump’s executive orders on exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs and said it acted in compliance with the law.
• The move follows an August 1 federal appeals court ruling that allows agencies to exempt themselves from bargaining obligations.
• This action is part of a broader administration effort that has reduced the EPA workforce by roughly 23% and shuttered its scientific research office.
• AFGE Council 238 has vowed to sue to block the contract termination and defend its members’ bargaining rights.