We Dissent! AFGE Local 704 dissents from Congressional vilification of federal employees

CHICAGO, Feb. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees' Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Chicago labor union announced today that the federal employees they represent are tired of being thrown under the bus by this Congress, as well as having environmental protection take a back seat to partisan politics.

"Every time Congress needs money, they put another tax burden on federal employees, requiring them to do more than their fair share to help solve the budget problems Congress created. A workforce buffeted with continuous partisan attacks cannot, by any definition of good leadership and management, be a productive workforce. This vilification of federal employees comes from the 113^th Congress, ironically noted as one of the least productive in history," stated John O'Grady, President AFGE Local 704.

"Furloughing federal employees without pay, freezing federal pay for years at a time, shutting down the entire government for 16 days, reducing Agency budgets and staffing levels, reducing benefits and the constant threat of another government shutdown, makes our members feel as though Congress views them as the enemy, rather than dedicated federal employees serving the public out of their sense of duty and honor," added O'Grady.

"Like many working Americans, federal employees feel excluded from Congressional representation. Any action taken by Congress that harms federal employees, harms the ability of government to attract the best and brightest to serve the American people, and jeopardizes the effectiveness of government. Ultimately, these actions harm this country's readiness to respond to threats to human health and the environment, as well as natural disasters. This country needs and deserves a strong federal work force that is allowed to do their work, without being used as pawns in partisan political battles.

Congressional actions that weaken the ability of government to respond to the public and provide the services they expect and deserve, threaten this country. Politics in Washington has gotten nasty – so nasty that perhaps our country's politicians have forgotten the honor that goes with serving the American people. They have certainly forgotten us. Congress needs to refocus on this country's problems, and federal employees are not one of them." concluded O'Grady.

American Federation of Government Employees
AFGE Local 704
www.AFGELocal704.org 
http://SavetheEPA.org/

AFGE Local 704 represents 1,000 employees at the EPA Region 5 Office in Chicago and neighboring states.

Media Contact: John J. O'Grady (630) 699-6106

SOURCE AFGE Local 704