EPA and Union Mediate Contract to Ensure Diversity and Scientific Integrity for Agency Employees Amid Ongoing Negotiations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its largest union, the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238 (AFG Council 238), are in mediation to resolve a contract that could protect agency staff long after President Joe Biden leaves office. The union, which represents about 8,000 EPA employees, has pushed for provisions to promote diversity and scientific integrity in its collective bargaining agreement with the agency. These articles and others are now under mediation, an expedited process intended to resolve. If the two sides fail to resolve these articles, unresolved articles will go to the Federal Service Impasses Panel. Meanwhile, the union has released a petition calling on EPA to agree to AFG’s demands, including equal treatment regardless of race, gender expression or sexual orientation and the scientific integrity.