The EPA’s largest union predicts that hundreds of employees may be placed on administrative leave due to their work on environmental justice issues. Currently, three staff members are already on leave for this reason.
This shift stems from new guidance from the Trump administration. They are looking to end programs centered around diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, which they consider to include environmental justice, according to Marie Owens Powell, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Council 238.
Since President Trump took office, his administration has rapidly moved to change the federal agency structure through executive orders. One notable pause in the EPA’s activities has been the environmental justice screenings that help with enforcement.
Owens Powell explained that these screenings were crucial for ensuring fair inspections and enforcement practices, but now they have been halted. She noted that EPA employees are being instructed not to fill out forms containing environmental justice questions. If anyone mentions activities in underserved communities, their colleagues are encouraged to report them for rule-breaking.
Three employees have already been placed on administrative leave specifically for their roles in diversity and inclusion efforts. The EPA’s Office of Inclusive Excellence, dedicated to promoting fairness and inclusion, has been disbanded, and its website is currently inactive.
Overall morale at the EPA is reportedly at its lowest point ever. Owens Powell remarked that employees feel apprehensive each day, unsure of what messages or changes might come next.
The union has advised members to download their personnel files, as access is cut off once they are on leave. They also encourage staff to focus on their work and stay engaged despite the uncertainty.
Interestingly, a recent offer from the Office of Personnel Management, allowing federal workers to resign while retaining their pay and benefits through September, has resulted in anger among employees. It seems to have only strengthened their resolve to stay in their positions.
Newly confirmed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated during his confirmation that he does not plan to reduce the EPA staff but aims to enhance productivity. However, shortly before his confirmation, acting EPA chief James Payne informed the staff that the agency would follow through with OPM’s resignation offer.
An EPA spokesperson shared that the agency is focused on implementing President Trump’s executive orders while also valuing employee input. Zeldin met with many career staff shortly after starting to gain insights as they work on the EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment.
In a surprising turn, more than 1,000 new members joined the union within a week, indicating a surge in interest and support among employees. Meanwhile, hundreds of EPA grantees have found themselves locked out of the grants system, hindering their ability to complete necessary work and manage financial aspects due to recent funding freezes.
Additionally, EPA employees have reported that their email signatures no longer display their pronouns, a sign of the ongoing changes within the agency.
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employment records,appointments and personnel changes,resignation from employment,environmental justice,diversity and inclusion,administrative leave
