EPA union sues Trump administration to restore collective bargaining contract
Summary
The union representing over 8,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workers is suing the EPA and its head, Lee Zeldin, for ending their collective bargaining contract. The union says the termination was illegal and aimed at stopping workers from expressing political opinions, which they argue violates their free speech rights.Key Facts
- The union is part of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and filed the lawsuit on Tuesday.
- The EPA ended the collective bargaining agreement in August 2025, following an executive order from President Trump earlier that year targeting federal worker contracts.
- The contract started in June 2024 and was supposed to last until June 2028, including protections for workers from retaliation.
- The union claims the contract was ended without good reason and to suppress political dissent.
- About 4,000 EPA workers have left the agency since President Trump took office in January 2025.
- An earlier ruling by an arbitrator favored EPA workers in a related case about the disciplining of employees who signed a dissent letter.
- The EPA did not comment on the lawsuit due to policies about pending court cases.
- The union president said protecting workers is key to the agency’s mission and effective public service.
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