Union Warns Of Safety Issues After EPA Cuts Desk Phones

“The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) replaced employee desk phones with calling software used on their laptops, something the union says poses safety issues, including during a recent medical emergency.”

“Justin Chen, president of the biggest EPA employee union, told The Hill that the additional software that’s supposed to handle 9-1-1 geolocation “doesn’t really work, apparently.”

 Chen said that this recently came up during an emergency situation in the EPA’s San Francisco office, adding the issue “ended up delaying a response.”

 Another EPA employee said that the emergency service software “has not worked since the time it was installed” last year.”

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill June 10, 2026.

Source: The Hill, 06/11/2026