Dingell, Tlaib, McCollum, EPA workers and AFGE union discuss closure of Grosse Ile station, attacks on employees' rights, agency mission

Statement

Today, Congresswomen Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Betty McCollum (DFL-MN) -- Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Environment -- met with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) affected by the recent closure of the Large Lakes Research Station office on Grosse Ile.

The lawmakers and union members discussed the administration's efforts to weaken employees' collective bargaining rights and the impact of EPA's relocation of employees from Grosse Ile to Ann Arbor.

"The dedicated work EPA and AFGE employees carried out on Grosse Ile was--and still is--critical to the health of our Great Lakes and rivers in Southeast Michigan," said Dingell. "Thank you Chair McCollum for traveling to Michigan to hear directly from the dedicated EPA employees and the community affected by Trump Administration policies. We must all work together to protect the environment and support the critical work being done by EPA employees."

"Rep. Dingell and Rep. Tlaib are strong leaders who are committed to ensuring environmental protection for families and communities in Michigan. The environmental challenges this state faces exist in communities across the country as well. That's why we're working together to restore a strong federal commitment to environmental protection and clean air and water for all Americans," said McCollum. "The EPA emergency response unit is a critical asset to Southeast Michigan, and I'm proud to be a partner in supporting my colleagues' efforts to ensure it is strong and available to meet the needs of the region. As we support the work of the dedicated professional EPA employees, I heard loud and clear today their tireless commitment to advancing the mission of protecting public health. They deserve our support in Congress."

"Today was an important opportunity to hear directly from EPA staff who have been impacted by the closure of the Grosse Ile field station," said Tlaib. "With the concentration of heavy industry and the environmental pollution facing Wayne County residents, it is unacceptable that our emergency responders have been moved out to Ann Arbor. This decision was poorly conceived and has been poorly executed, and it affects the ability of EPA staff to do their jobs. I was also disturbed to learn of a July directive from management that has unilaterally nullified staff contracts, gutted workplace protections, and has discouraged whistleblowing. I will continue to work with Rep. Dingell to try to re-open the Grosse Ile field station and protect our local environment and public health."

"EPA employees have legitimate concerns about this lab closure and move, including air quality issues at the Ann Arbor National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory," said Nicole Cantello, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 704. "Shamefully, EPA has chosen to ignore our collective bargaining rights and illegally impose a management edict, which has functionally eliminated EPA employees' ability to address our legitimate issues, including health and safety concerns, with management. Instead, EPA management has chosen to move ahead without regard for the effects this will have on EPA employees and the agency's mission. We are thankful to all the members of Congress who came out today to hear our concerns and stand with us to stop this wrongheaded move. We will not be silenced."

The Large Lakes Research Station was the base of operations for EPA first responders in the region, housed personnel from the Criminal Investigation Division, and served as an important post for the Great Lakes National Program Office. With the closure and relocation of EPA employees, new challenges and issues have arisen, including the new working conditions for these employees, labor contracts, and what impact this will have on emergency preparedness and environmental protections.

In June, the House accepted a measures by Dingell and Tlaib to the Interior Appropriations package that would prevent the EPA from closing the Large Lakes Research Station on Grosse Ile. Dingell's measure prevents the EPA from closing or relocating any office or facility that houses either emergency responders or a criminal investigation unit responsible for carrying out the agency's mission, such as the station on Grosse Ile. Tlaib's measure stops the EPA from closing offices in regions that have designated Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Areas. The Grosse Ile station has primary authority to enforce the Sulfur Dioxide Nonattainment Area in Wayne County.

Source