# AFGE Challenges EPA CBA Termination in Massachusetts

AFGE Council 238 and other union plaintiffs sued the Environmental Protection Agency in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts over EPA’s August 2025 termination of its collective bargaining agreement, ratified in 2024. The suit seeks restoration of the agreement and alleges that EPA failed to provide a reasoned explanation or consider alternatives under the Administrative Procedure Act, and infringed employees’ First Amendment rights. The signals identify no solicitation, procurement award, or contract value; the case is relevant to contractors because changes in EPA labor relations may affect workforce stability and continuity of agency-supported work.

- Contractors supporting EPA workforce, labor-relations, or program operations can assess whether their delivery assumptions depend on continuity among represented agency employees.
- The litigation’s outcome could affect EPA labor practices and workforce arrangements; the signals provide no specific procurement change or required contractor action at this time.
- The case was filed in the District of Massachusetts. Procurement professionals should distinguish this labor agreement dispute from a government acquisition opportunity; no bid or award action is identified.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Environment
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 30, 2026

### Government Entities
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts (D. Mass.)

### Key Quotes
> If an agency did choose to end a contract under the executive order, it had to at least comply with the Administrative Procedure Act for reasoned decision-making.
> — AFGE filing

> The lawsuit, in part, challenges EPA’s timing for canceling the union contract, which came just ahead of disciplining employees who signed a dissent.
> — Original post

### Sources
- [EPA union sues management over contract termination - Government Executive](https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2026/09/epa-union-sues-management-over-contract-termination/416353) - GovExec.com
- [
        Union sues EPA over termination of collective bargaining agreement - Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/unions/2026/09/union-sues-epa-over-termination-of-collective-bargaining-agreement) - Federal News Network
- [Union sues EPA over termination of collective bargaining agreement](https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1wty851/union_sues_epa_over_termination_of_collective) - reddit-fednews