NTEU CHAPTER 280 - U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,  NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
BEN FRANKLIN STATION,  BOX 7672, WASHINGTON D.C. 20044 - PHONE 202-566-2789
INTERNET http://www.nteu280.org  E MAIL Al-Mudallal.Amer@epa.gov

DESCRIPTION   NEWSLETTER   CURRENT ISSUES   PRESS RELEASES   LINKS   MEMBERS PAGE   HISTORY   SITE INDEX

NTEU CHAPTER 280 - DESCRIPTION

WHO WE ARE

Chapter 280 of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) represents professional employees at the headquarters offices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Scientists, lawyers, engineers, economists and other workers defined by Congress as “professionals” voted in 1984 to be represented by the union. At that time, the union was affiliated with the National Federation of Federal Employees, as Local 2050. The membership voted in 1998 to change affiliations and become part of NTEU. Our bargaining unit now numbers approximately 1600.

Professional workers at EPA organized to defend their freedom to practice their professions in pursuit of environmental and public health protection and to do so in conformity with high ethical standards of professionalism. In addition to professional ethics, Chapter 280 also pursues a program of traditional labor interests - worker health and safety, family-friendly workplace programs, and job security. Our worker health and safety activities also have public health protection implications.

When hundreds of EPA workers were sickened by new carpet emissions, the union undertook efforts to protect the public from the same hazards, while simultaneously working to relieve the problems experienced by EPA workers. Carpet manufacturing has changed for the better  because of the union’s work with EPA, Congress, the carpet industry and the media. 

Chapter 280 is responsible for EPA adopting its first set of Principles of Scientific Integrity, which the Administrator promulgated in March 2000. Our work on professional ethics, dating from 1985, led to the union’s commitment to efforts to halt the use of the nation’s drinking water system as a waste disposal medium for toxic wastes containing fluoride. We have worked with citizens groups, the scientific community, Congress, State legislators and the media on this issue.

The union’s officer corps consists of the President, Executive Vice-President, Senior Vice-President, five Vice-Presidents, Chief Steward, Secretary and Treasurer.