Seven employees from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Boston office are on paid leave due to their work on environmental justice and diversity initiatives. This decision was made during a sudden meeting last Thursday, as reported by Lilly Simmons, the acting president of AFGE Local 3428, which represents about 500 EPA workers in the region.
Simmons mentioned that the employees received emails indicating they would lose access to the office, their computers, and personal information on government systems. This unexpected news left many feeling stressed, as the leave has no specified end date.
This situation isn’t isolated; it’s part of a larger action by the EPA, which has placed 168 employees on administrative leave across the country. This move follows President Trump’s directives to eliminate various equity and environmental justice programs.
Environmental justice programs were created to address the disproportionate effects of pollution and climate change on low-income neighborhoods and communities of color. These initiatives gained momentum during the Biden administration but have faced opposition from Trump, who labeled them as wasteful.
EPA spokesperson Molly Vaseliou stated in a memo that the agency is committed to implementing President Trump’s executive orders, emphasizing his mandate from the American public to do so.
Former EPA Regional Administrator David Cash expressed concern that dismantling these programs would harm communities already struggling with pollution. He believes the current administration is not prioritizing the protection of vulnerable populations. Cash described the recent round of layoffs and administrative changes as unusual, noting that while transitions do happen between administrations, they typically follow established procedures and respect labor contracts.
Simmons indicated that the union is considering its options to challenge these administrative decisions. Unions representing federal workers are already active in legal efforts against the Trump administration’s initiatives affecting federal employees, with a hearing scheduled soon regarding these lawsuits.
