EPA Union Asks American People, 'Why Do You Love the EPA?'

WASHINGTON, July 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Working people at the Environmental Protection Agency have dedicated their careers to keeping America's air clean and water safe. They serve without political agenda and keep their focus on protecting community health for all Americans ? now and in the future. But, despite making massive strides in keeping dangerous pollutants out of our drinking water and air, civil servants at the EPA may soon see their work unraveled.

To help combat the partisan narrative being slung by those who want to give polluters free reign, American Federation of Government Employees Local 3911 is asking the American public, "Why do you love the EPA?" in their Love Letters to the EPA contest ? open now through September 1, 2017.

The 2018 budget proposed by the Trump Administration is calling for a 31 percent cut to the EPA's budget, a massive reduction of staff, and the dismantling of services and programs millions of Americans rely on. These proposals, paired with unnecessary rollbacks of life-saving regulations, threaten the existence of the country's frontline community health defender.

"The EPA has faced intense scrutiny this year as the President has rolled out his plans for the agency," said AFGE Local 3911 President Antony Tseng, "We want the American people to tell us why they don't want to see the EPA dismantled, and why they want us to continue to protect our citizens for years to come," he added.

The contest is open to individuals who are United States citizens, and residents of the United States or a U.S. Territory, who are not employees or former employees of the EPA or their immediate families, and are not members of Local 3911 or their immediate families. Eligible contestants are being asked to submit a video ? up to two minutes in length ? about why they don't want to see the President expose future generations to an environment that is hazardous to their health.

"Love Letters to the EPA is your chance to resist the proposed and inadequate federal budget for 2018," said Tseng. "If your video is the best, the $5,000 first prize is yours. We know that a fully funded EPA protects human health and the environment. Who do you trust to tell you the air and water is safe? More Americans trust the U.S. EPA," he added.

More information about the Love Letters to the EPA contest can be found on www.afge.org/LL2EPA and by following #LL2EPA on Facebook and Twitter. Winners will be announced in October 2017.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 700,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including 10,000 employees at the Environmental Protection Agency. 

For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees