NWS and NWSEO Form Working Group To
Address Challenges of Rotating Shift Workers

The National Labor Council, comprised of NWSEO and NWS representatives, has formed a team to examine the issue of shift work. This joint Labor/Management committee arises from the employee's comments presented through the last SFA. Time has finally come for a serious look at the effects shift work has on an employee's life and family, and to examine any possible solutions.

The needs of the employees, however, must balance with the needs of the agency to meet our mission. As you know, there are no easy solutions to these problems. This team will need your support as it examines the shift work issue. If you have any comments or suggestions, please forward them to one of your NWSEO team representatives:

Dan Sobien Co-Chair
Paul Greaves
Susan Griffin
Paul Smith

The Management team consists of Gene Auciello, Co-Chair, MIC in Albany; Melinda Bailey from SRH; Debra Blondin, WCM in North Platte, NE; and John Livingston, MIC in Spokane, WA. 

Here is the team's charter:

Charter for The National Labor Council Working Group on Challenges Facing National Weather Service Shift Workers

Basis: An analysis of the recent Survey Feedback Action data indicates a need for improved management understanding and recognition of the challenges of shift workers. 

Mission: The Working Group on Challenges Facing NWS Shift Workers is to identify and articulate the challenges and positive and negative effects of NWS employees working rotating shifts. The working group should take into consideration the views of the entire spectrum of NWS shift workers. The working group is to provide recommendations to remedy any specific problems identified in their analysis.

Termination Date: The working group serves at the pleasure of the National Labor Council (NLC). The working group will be dissolved upon successful submission of their report to the NLC. 

Completion Criteria: Successful submission of a report on meeting the objectives stated in the mission statement above to the NLC no later than six months after the team has been charged. The working group may ask the NLC for additional time to complete their objective. 

Working Group Membership: The working group will consist of four management appointed members and four NWSEO appointed members. All task force members should be or have been shift workers or should currently supervise or have supervised shift workers. 

Ground Rules:
. Management and NWSEO do not forfeit their rights as documented in the NWS/NWSEO Collective Bargaining Agreement.

. Carrying out the mission of the NWS requires shift work. Any recommendation must not detract from NWS's ability to carry out its mission. 

. Any recommendation contrary to law, rule, regulation, policy, or procedure must be so articulated. Valid reasons for changing such must be included with the recommendation. 

. Recommendations must come with a business case analysis, if applicable. 

. The working group will select co-chairs, one from management's representatives to the working group, and one from NWSEO's representative's to the working group. The co-chairs will call and moderate meetings and arrange the administrative activities of the working group. 

. The Financial Management Centers (FMCs) for which each working group member works will be responsible for any travel or other expenses related to the working group. 

. Recommendations will, if possible, be reached by consensus. If consensus is not possible, the opinions of both those in favor and those not should be included in the report.