(WASHINGTON, D.C.)— Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairwoman Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) and 106 Members of Congress in writing to Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar urging the Department to return to the bargaining table and negotiate employment contracts in good faith with unions representing HHS employees.

The Members wrote: “HHS management failed to negotiate in good faith with union representatives when management walked out on negotiations after just one day of discussions last year. By failing to negotiate in good faith, HHS is in violation of federal law. This violation of labor laws is particularly troubling because HHS employees serve critical functions in protecting the safety of Americans.”

The Members continued: “For the sake of the health and well-being of your employees and all Americans, we urge you to return to the negotiating table with unions representing HHS employees.”

On September 30, 2019, an arbitrator found that HHS “committed an Unfair Labor Practice by bargaining in bad faith.”  Following this decision, the head of one of the unions representing HHS employees wrote to Secretary Azar requesting that negotiations be resumed.  HHS has not responded to the request and has neglected to return to the negotiating table.

To read the letter, click HERE.

###