National Weather Service Employees Organization

About NWSEO

• The forecasters, technicians and support personnel of the National Weather Service, the nation's official source for weather forecasts and warnings;


• The attorneys in NOAA's Office of General Counsel, who are responsible for enforcing laws that protect the nation's environment and natural resources;


• The civilian crews of the "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft based in Tampa, Florida;


• The technicians who track and command the nation's weather satellites from Wallops Island, Virginia; and


• The hurricane researchers and other scientists and support personnel at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Key Biscayne, Florida.

NWSEO Working for You:
The Top 5 Accomplishments of 2011

NWSEO works hard to improve working conditions and the quality of NWS services. The diligent work of the NWSEO produced these top five accomplishments in 2010-2011:  

1. Saving the CWSUs from consolidation – a culmination of a five year lobbying effort by NWSEO to preserve both aviation safety and NWS employee jobs. NWSEO spent over $200,000 in this lobbying effort and obtained the support of the Senate Commerce Committee, the House Science Committee and the House and Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittees
2. Securing back pay for overtime for nearly 200 NWS employees. Securing FLSA Non-Exempt status of an additional 165 NWS employees. The NWS has agreed to pay two years’ lost overtime wages and liquidated damages for those employees, as well.
3. Winning an appeal to bargain to increase staffing at Anchorage WFO by 10 positions - this directs the National Weather Service to bargain with NWSEO over a proposal that would increase staffing at the Anchorage WFO by ten positions.
4. Securing special projects designed to increase aviation safety, which include increased NWS personnel at the CWSU and WFOs in New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago.
5. NWSEO secured an agreement that upgrades to a GS -8 every Administrative Support Assistant at field offices around the country. The GS -8 upgrade includes approximately one million dollars in extra pay and benefits to the lowest paid NWS employees each and every year from now on.

The Top 20 NWSEO Accomplishments

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NWSEO Cares: Medical Leave Donations

NWSEO Members have always been generous with leave donations for co-workers in need.

If you are able to donate leave time, please complete the Donor Leave Transfer Application and submit it to your ASA. If you would like to learn more about the Leave Transfer Program, including a full list of participants, click here. NWSEO thanks you for your generosity and care!

NWSEO Store

You can purchase NWSEO Merchandise such as mugs,
t-shirts, and branch magnets at the NWSEO Store.

Management Issues

Management Issues
(December 8, 2011) NWSEO often tackles problems repeatedly from the same managers. Now, an updated color-coded branch list can be used to identify and inform members of potential problem managers.  While circumstances may change over time, the current list highlights areas to warn members of the possible implications to their career and morale if they bid on these offices.

PREVAILING CONDITIONS
Top Story

Stay Healthy and Receive a $300 Rebate: February 29 is the deadline for reimbursement form for the NWSEO negotiatedHealth Club and Wellness Services Reimbursement Program

(February 21, 2012) Wednesday, February 29 is the deadline to submit Forms A and B of the NWSEO negotiated National Weather Service Health Club and Wellness Services Fees Reimbursement Program. (More)

Get involved - Help Save the ITO Position

Please sign the petition to prevent cuts to the National Weather Service on the White House web site.
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/prevent-budget-cuts-national-weather-service/nQVPd4l2

The Washington Post Federal Diary is asking, “Which of Obama’s cuts go too far?” The forum is now closed, but NWSEO members made a strong stand for the importance of the ITO postiion at WFOs. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/2012/02/13/gIQAHwGCDR_story.html?wpisrc=nl_fedinsider

Protect the ITO Position Press Kit

Fact Sheet - Speaking points

News Release

White Paper - Detailed report on the ITO position

Contact your Senator and Congressional Representative

NWSEO Works to Save ITO Positions - Here’s How You Can Help

(February 17, 2012) NWSEO is working full pace to protect the ITO positions at WFOs. The President’s proposed FY2013 budget reduces the NWS budget by nearly $40 million. Because of this, the NWS plans to eliminate 98 ITO positions at WFOs, while moving 24 ITO positions to regions. We have yet to hear the details about those proposed regional positions. (More)

President Obama’s 2013 Budget Plan Cuts Crucial Positions at Weather Forecast Offices,
Jeopardizing the Lifesaving Mission of the National Weather Service

(February 13, 2012) Less than nine months after commenting that Republican-led budget cuts “might compromise the National Weather Service,” the President’s 2013 budget proposal calls for damaging cuts to the NWS, including cuts to positions critical to emergency responses at weather forecast offices. The cuts would decrease the number of information technology officers at weather forecast offices across the nation.  Currently, each WFO is staffed with one local programmer/IT specialist (ITO) who is critical to NWS operations.  (More)

NWS Refuses to Bargain over $2 Million Reduction of Travel Expenses NWSEO Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge

(February 3, 2012) NWSEO filed an unfair labor practice charge against NWS after the agency’s refusal to bargain over a
$2 million dollar proposal to reduce travel expenditures for FY12.  The agency has reduced all travel with the exception of operationally necessary travel of unit employees without providing NWSEO with the information or opportunity to bargain over the reductions. (More)

Gainsharing Travel Savings– Save Money on Travel and Earn a Little Extra Cash for Yourself

(January 10, 2012) The NWSEO and NWS signed a clarification of Article 23 Section 5 of the contract, spelling out members’ liabilities when flying with non-refundable airline tickets.  The NWSEO encourages all NWS employees to utilize lower cost non-refundable airfares when that makes sense.  This saves money for your local office's travel budget and makes you eligible for a Gainsharing award equal to 50 percent of those savings.  (More)

(Jan. 9, 2012) The Great Gov Apps Debate Hits NOAA

Labor Management Forum

The Department of Commerce Labor Management Forum