(File Photo: Source for Photo: FILE – Tom Duffy of Clairton raises his fist as hundreds of United Steelworkers rally and march on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, in Clairton, Pa. The United Steelworkers Union has endorsed President Joe Biden Wednesday, March 20, 2024, giving him support from another large labor union. (Steph Chambers/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP, File)

(Reported by Danielle Smith of Keystone News Service)

(Harrisburg, PA) A union representing Pittsburgh-based workers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health or NIOSH is fighting job cuts proposed by the Trump administration. The plan would slash the workforce at Health and Human Services agencies by 20-thousand jobs, close regional offices and consolidate some functions. Critics of the plan say it will put public health and local jobs at risk. Brendan Demich with the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1916 says about 200 union members could be affected in Pittsburgh. He adds research on mining safety and protective gear could be lost. Demich says the Pittsburgh office was told April 1st about upcoming layoffs. Non-union staff were put on leave right away, while union workers were told they’ll likely be out by the end of June. He adds that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Junior also plans to move NIOSH out of the CDC and into a new agency, effectively shutting it down.