One scientist has been fired, and another suspended, from the EPA’s National Exposure Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga. by agency management, in the midst of a union election. The American Federation of Government Employees‘ EPA Labor Council #238 expressed utter outrage that this was – purposefully, they believe – done at a time when scientists at the Athens lab were seeking union representation.

“The two scientists who were blatantly reprised against were activists in seeking the union election,” said AFGE EPA Council 238 president Charles Orzehoskie. “We stand by them in their hour of need.”

The scientists worked for the lab’s Ecosystems Research Division, and were each dismissed for different alleged reasons. One worker was suspended August 14 for reportedly turning in travel expenses for non-work-related travel, while the other – who was world-renowned – was fired for supposedly failing to submit a medical document for a health-related absence. Continue reading “EPA fires scientists – to shake attempt to unionize?”