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DeLauro Statement on ERS Workers’ Vote to Unionize

May 9, 2019

WASHINGTON, DC (May 9, 2019) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement after United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) employees at the Economic Research Service (ERS) voted 138-4 in favor of joining the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

"With today's overwhelming vote, ERS employees have sent a resounding message to the Trump Administration: the continued undermining of ERS must stop," said Congresswoman DeLauro. "ERS is an invaluable resource on research and support for the food and agricultural communities. That is why Congress must stand in solidarity with ERS workers against the Administration's attacks on science."

In August 2018, the USDA proposed a reorganization of ERS, as well as the physical relocation of ERS and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) outside of the National Capitol Region. Several ERS employees have come forward to say the proposed relocation is retaliation for agency research the Administration disagrees with.

At a recent House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, a bipartisan panel of former USDA officials testified against the proposed changes to the two agencies. The proposal is also opposed by the American Statistical Association, Agricultural & Applied Economics Association, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Union of Concerned Scientists, Food Research and Action Center, National WIC Association, National Farmers Union, Consumer Federation of America, and many other prominent organizations within the agriculture and science communities.

DeLauro is a senior Democrat on the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over funding and oversight of the USDA.