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Prevailing Conditions
Furloughs and Hiring Freeze to the NWS
Threaten Forecast Accuracy
May 1 print copy
Scroll down for News Coverage of this release.
(May 1, 2013) National Weather Service employees say that four furlough days added to the current hiring freeze stretches already short staffed offices to a breaking point, puts the American public at risk and jeopardizes the agency’s mission of saving lives and property. Most of the NWS employees being furloughed are designated "emergency essential,” because of their public safety responsibilities and are required to work even during catastrophic conditions. Commerce, air travel, and most daily events hinge on accurate forecasts. The forecasts become life savers in the summer when floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, heat waves, wildfires and thunderstorms are most prevalent.
“Furloughs to the National Weather Service, in conjunction with furloughs to the other agencies the nation depends on for emergency services, is like playing “chicken” with the American public,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “One missed event would realistically, cost millions. NOAA is risking everything and has nothing to gain. It’s not a sound decision.”
The NWS has reduced staffing at forecast offices nationwide due to a hiring slowdown over the past two years. The March 27 NOAA hiring freeze has many currently understaffed forecasting offices feeling the strain even during fair weather days.
Potential impacts of NOAA’s decision include:
- Decreased accuracy of aviation, marine, fire weather and water level forecasts that will cost billions of dollars in flight delays and increased risk of lives and property.
- Reduced efficiency and accuracy for tornado events due to reduced alertness of short staffed offices.
- Staffing shortages at the Hurricane Center will result in increased errors which could be catastrophic. Less NOAA staff will be available to fly into hurricanes.
- Reduced ability to deploy weather support for wildfires and other emergencies.
- A disruption in observations impacting weather model accuracy.
- Outages of critical meteorological, hydrological, satellite, and radar data because less employees will be available to fix system glitches. Help desks and parts warehouses will likely be short-staffed resulting in further delays.
“Staffing at weather forecasting offices is already stretched thin. The very people we count on to be alert for watches and warnings are working overtime and changing from day shift to night shift and back in the same week,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “Unfortunately, it will only take one bad storm to show that NOAA is dangerously cutting corners in the wrong places.”
-NWSEO-
Dan Sobien, President
National Weather Service Employees Organization
Phone: 202-420-1043
president@nwseo.org
Furlough Press Kit
Furlough News Release
Furlough Speaking Points
May 10, 2013
May 9, 2013
May 7, 2013
May 4, 2013
May 3, 2013
May 2, 2013
April 30, 2013
April 29, 2013
April 22, 2013
NWSEO News Release
National Weather Service Employees Organization
Endorses Senator Schatz for Re-election
(April 22, 2013) The National Weather Service Employees Organization is pleased to announce its endorsement of Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in his re-election bid for the U.S. Senate.
“Earth Day with its theme, “The Face of Climate Change” is most appropriate for announcing our organization’s endorsement of Senator Schatz,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “Senator Schatz recognizes the important role of the dedicated employees of the National Weather Service and their mission of saving lives and property. He cares deeply about the earth, the environment, and is working to solve the problems of climate change.”
“I’d like to thank the National Weather Service Employees Organization for its endorsement,” said Senator Schatz. “Severe weather has been a devastating byproduct of climate change. As Lieutenant Governor, I led the charge for clean energy infrastructure and petroleum independence through the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. Now, in the United States Senate, I am working to bring that success to the federal stage. We simply cannot ignore climate change. I will be a leader in the U.S. Senate for clean energy, and look forward to partnering with NWSEO as we fight to reverse climate change.”
Senator Schatz supports fully funding the National Weather Service to maintain their life-saving work without degradation of service to the American public. In 2012, Hawaii experienced a year of severe weather including hail, flooding, and landslides. Schatz experienced firsthand how the National Weather Service works in cooperation with federal, state, and local officials to help minimize the impact of these storms. He knows the importance of local weather forecast offices, especially during severe weather events, and supports keeping them open across the country.
Schatz is a strong supporter of the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and is committed to keeping the PTWC in Hawaii. He is a strong advocate for opening a third tsunami warning center in the Caribbean.
NWSEO is the labor organization and professional association that represents 4,000 employees of NOAA in the U.S. Department of Commerce, including:
- National Weather Service employees, including those at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii,
- Fisheries enforcement attorneys,
- "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft crew,
- Weather Satellite Technicians,
- NOAA Hurricane researchers and scientists.
NWSEO is confident that Senator Schatz will continue to effectively secure the funding necessary to make Hawaii more prepared for natural disasters.
-NWSEO-
Media Contact: Dan Sobien,
NWSEO President
president@nwseo.org
www.nwseo.org
202-420-1043
April 17, 2013 - Philadelphia Inquirer/Philly.com
April 16, 2013- Government Executive
Four Furlough Days at NOAA Lawmaker Offers Budget Help by Charles Clark
April 15, 2013 - Washington Post - Capital Weather Gang
Furloughs Proposed for the NWS, NOAA by Jason Samenow
April 15, 2013 - Congressional Quarterly Roll Call:
Tough Budgeting Places National Weather Service in an Uneasy Orbit
(April 5, 2013) Tough Budgeting Places National Weather Service In an Uneasy Orbit NWSEO President Dan Sobien is quoted in this article several times including:
“Even on fair weather days, offices report overtime and temporary promotions to fill the gaps, leaving forecasters fatigued from working off rotation shifts or shifts with a quick turnaround,” Daniel Sobien, the union president, said in a statement. “In one office, it was called, ‘a scheduling nightmare in which no one works their regular schedule anymore.’”
Sobien said in an interview that short staffing is affecting the quality of the forecasts. The agency has support in Congress, he said, but faces challenges within NOAA.
“For some reason, they weren’t asking for enough money all along,” he said. “NOAA has a lot of competing interests and its own priorities.”
March 18, 2013
Washington Post: National Weather Service cutting back on hiring, spending
(March 18, 2013) Washington Post- National Weather Service cutting back on hiring, spending. NWSEO president is quoted in this article several times, including:
Sobien said the forecaster vacancies are just the tip of the iceberg, and that there about 200 unfilled staff positions within the NWS.
“It’s phenomenal,” Sobien said. “The vacancy rate which was 3 percent just two years ago is up to 9 percent.”
March 7, 2013
Philadelphia Inquirer
Weather and Politics by Tony Wood
March 6, 2013
Washington Post
Sequester could ultimately affect severe-weather forecasting by Josh Hicks
Bloomberg
Weather balloons seen at risk of being grounded by U.S. cuts by Kathleen Miller
Climate Central: Budget cuts may degrade weather, climate forecasting by Andrew Freedman
National Weather Service Pays for Itself Again
November 4, 2012 - The Weather Guru
Washington Post: Capital Weather Gang
October 9, 2012
NWS employees barred from attending major weather conference at last minute
September 9, 2012
Related Links
KGMB and HNN (Hawaii News Now)
Honolulu Civil Beat
National Weather Service Employees Organization
Endorses Representative Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate
printable copy
(Honolulu, HI, September 9, 2012) The National Weather Service Employees Organization is pleased to announce its endorsement of Hawaii Congresswoman Mazie Hirono in her bid for U.S. Senate.
“Mazie Hirono understands the importance of accurate weather forecasting and tsunami predictions for the people of Hawaii. Time and again, she has shown her commitment to Hawaii’s emergency preparedness. She supports the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program and with her leadership, Hawaii will be more prepared for severe weather,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “Mazie also recognizes the importance of the dedicated professionals who work for the National Weather Service. NWSEO is proud to endorse Mazie Hirono for U.S. Senate.”
Hirono said, “I am humbled to be endorsed by the men and women who are charged with providing our isolated island state with critical weather information that could mean the difference between life and death. The necessity for accurate and readily available weather information is vital to providing the people of Hawaii with critical minutes needed to mobilize in the event of a natural disaster, such as a severe storm or tsunami. At a time when Republicans continue to attack the role and value of government, we must stand up for the kinds of federal support needed to make Hawaii a safer place to live and visit.”
NWSEO announced its endorsement in conjunction with the anniversary week of Hurricane Iniki – Tuesday, September 11, 2012, is the 20th anniversary. Hurricane Iniki devastated the island of Kauai on September 11, 1992, killing six people and causing $1.8 billion in property damage.
While in Congress, Hirono successfully championed efforts to make Hawaii more prepared for hurricanes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters. Her achievements include:
- Securing more than $3 million in funding for the Army Corp's Surge and Wave Island Modeling Studies which will enable scientists to make more accurate island inundations predictions during hurricane/typhoon conditions to enhance public safety.
- Securing nearly $3 million in funding for the development of a computer model that identifies island populations vulnerable to hurricane-related hazards, public shelter capacities, transportation routes, and evacuation data for use by local emergency planners.
- Securing more than $1.5 million in funding for the Pacific Island Land Ocean Typhoon Experiment (PILOT) Program, which uses a test site at Mokuleia on Oahu to collect data to further the understanding of wave run-up during a hurricane/typhoon.
- Successfully opposing efforts to decrease funding for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Oahu.
NWSEO is the labor organization and professional association that represents 4,000 employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the U.S. Department of
Commerce, including:
- Forecasters, technicians and support personnel of the National Weather Service, the nation's official source for weather forecasts and warnings;
- Scientists and support personnel at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii;
- Attorneys in NOAA's Office of General Counsel;
- Civilian crews of the "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft;
- Technicians who track and command the nation's weather satellites;
- Hurricane researchers and other scientists and support personnel at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Florida.
NWSEO is confident that as a U.S. Senator, Mazie Hirono will continue to effectively secure funding necessary to make Hawaii more prepared for natural disasters.
-NWSEO-
Media Contact: Dan Sobien, President
National Weather Service Employees Organization
Phone: 202-420-1043
president@nwseo.org
www.nwseo.org
June 22:
Washington Post - NOAA chief cites management ‘failure’ in NWS financial scandal
June 21, 2012 Transcript of House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science Hearing
Panel approves funds to avoid Weather Service furloughs
NOAA Leadership’s Mismanagement of Funds
May Result in Furloughs of all NWS Agency Employees
(June 7, 2012) The National Weather Service has proposed to furlough all agency employees for 13 working days in FY 2012 due to a $26 million dollar budget shortfall. The NWS notified NWSEO today about the furloughs and included a NWS Reprogramming Fact Sheet.
“National Weather Service employees are paying for the mistakes of the agency’s leadership,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “Their misguided plan to furlough all agency employees is another example of the short-sighted thinking that has put them in such dire straits.”
Background on the budget shortfall:
In 2010 and 2011, NOAA and DOC received complaints that personnel in the NWS were allegedly misallocating funds. These complaints were not acted upon.
In July 2011, a complaint to the Inspector General was relayed to NOAA and the agency appointed Dr. Sullivan and Hari Sastry to lead a NOAA investigation (not an IG investigation). A review of the NWS budgetary process revealed that the NWS improperly reprogrammed funds and may have violated the Anti-Deficiency Act.
The investigation also found a failure of management and oversight of NWS leadership.
The bottom line is that for years, NOAA, DOC and OMB were not requesting enough money to keep field operations running. Instead, in order to keep the lights on, it appears that NWS officials may have changed accounting codes to other non-local warnings and forecasts portions of the budget (AWIPS, Weather Radio, and more) to pay for field operations. NWS does not have enough money to run field operations. DOC has asked Congress for a reprogramming of the NWS and for a smaller amount of funds from other NOAA lines totaling $35 million ($26 million for local warnings and forecasts and $9 million for dual pol).
The NOAA investigation included several recommendations for changes in the NWS management structure (including a review of the structure and function of the NWS Corporate Board) and management training. The report also states that no one in the NWS CFO Office or NWS leadership was ever trained in reprogramming money. The decision mandates an audit of NWS spending back to 2006.
NWSEO was not provided with the investigative report. Instead, our information comes from the Decision Memorandums. These Decision Memorandums make it sound like the NWS was covering up the deficit by illegally moving money around and do not show any fault on NOAA. “I find it highly unlikely that this is a NWS cover-up,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “What else does the NOAA CFO Office do if not monitor and supervise their line office CFOs? The NWS structural deficit has been well known for years.”
NWSEO General Counsel Richard Hirn was interviewed on Federal News Radio last week. His interview provides a very complete and accurate summary of these events. To listen, visit: http://www.federalnewsradio.com/86/2884385/In-Depth-interviews---May-30 Scroll down to Richard Hirn’s name and click the arrow.
“For years, NWSEO warned Congress that the NWS budget was underfunded,” Sobien added. “Now that the misappropriations have come to light, we need to work together to make sure NWS gets fully funded.”
The furloughs may be avoided if Congress and the Department of Commerce agree on a source for reprograming funds. Friends of NWSEO in Congress have asked Secretary Bryson to look for other sources within DOC for funds to reprogram to the NWS rather than further cutting other essential NWS programs. NWSEO has also learned that the NWS completed drafting the reprogramming request by mid-February, but DOC and OMB delayed submission to Congress for over three months - which added to the current crisis. NWSEO's lobbyist has spent most of this and the past week on Capitol Hill educating lawmakers about the nature and extent of NWS's funding problems.
NWSEO is reaching out to our political supporters to make sure the NWS receives full funding in 2013. In light of recent events, this year we need your support more than ever. We are asking for your help. During office discussions, please remind non-members of the work NWSEO is doing.
Most often union members hear information before their managers do from the very active private Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/nwseo/. Please encourage your co-workers to join the union. It will help our efforts and provide them access to the NWSEO Facebook group. Recruitment information and talking points are available at http://www.nwseo.org/Recruitment.php and an 1187 is available there too. We need the strength of membership this year.
-NWSEO-
Related News Stories - June 8, 2012:
Washington Post: Weather Service may impose furloughs
Washington Post Capital Weather Gang Blog: Working to Avoid Weather Service Furloughs
Philadelphia Inquirer: New Storm at Weather Service
Atlanta Journal Constitution: Weather Service furloughs blog
Federal TImes: National Weather Service staff may get furloughted
Government Executive:Weather Service says it may furlough 5,000
NWSEO General Counsel Richard Hirn explains
NWS budget issues on Federal News Radio
(May 30, 2012)Federal News Radio interviewed NWSEO General Counsel Richard Hirn on NWS Director Jack Hayes' retirement and the current budget issues the National Weather Service faces. Click here for the Federal News Radio interview. Scroll down to Richard Hirn's name to locate the audio clip of the interview.
NWS Director Jack Hayes Retires
(May 25, 2012) Jack Hayes, Director of the National Weather Service since 2007 announced his retirement today, effective May 29. Read Dr. Hayes' retirement announcement here.
Related News Articles:
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Washington Post - Senators tell Weather Service Congress won't authorize plan to shift money
Monday, May 28, 2012
Washington Post - Weather Service director retires after critical investigation of agency
CNN - Weather Service improperly shifted government funds
Politico - Jack Hayes, National Weather Service Director - retires
April 17, 2012
CBS 58 Milwaukee
NWS cuts could affect public safety
April 16, 2012
Dayton Daily News
Proposed Weather Service Changes could cut $10M
Plan cuts $10 partly by restructuring jobs linked to warning technology
April 10, 2012
WSHM - CBS 3, Springfield, Mass.
Proposed Budget Cuts to NWS may Delay Warnings.
April 3, 2012
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, April 3, 2012
Plan to cut National Weather Service workers denounced
March 29, 2012
Washington Post, March 29, 2012
National Weather Service Budget Cuts Misguided, Misplaced
March 21, 2012
Charleston City Paper, Paul Bowers reports:
Obama budget would eliminate IT jobs at National Weather Service
Greenwire Article: Agency, union spar over tornado-warning upgrades in deadly storms' wake
Emily Yehle, E&E reporter
Published: Thursday, March 1, 2012
NWSEO Highlights Problems with AWIPS 2, Expresses Deployment Concerns
in Email to Dr. Jane Lubchenco
From: Dan Sobien [mailto:president@nwseo.org]
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2012 3:59 PM
To: jane.lubchenco@noaa.gov
Subject: AWIPS2 Deployment
Jane,
Last Thursday evening In Omaha Nebraska, the WFO issued 17 warnings using AWIPS2. None of the 17 warnings made it to the Iowa or Nebraska State Police/Emergency Managers and four of the warnings never made it to anyone (except a few listeners of NOAA Weather Radio). This is in spite of the tremendous job the NWS employees of Omaha did during this event. Forecasters also had tremendous difficulty issuing follow-up statements to the warnings because the warning boxes would essentially move after they were created which was described to me as akin to playing “Whack-A-Mole” with warning boxes. Finally, forecasters reported hundreds of apparently erroneous “error banners” popping up on their screens during the event, each one had to be cleared manually, distracting forecasters that should have been concentrating on the radar.
The NWSEO has been warning NWS management about unacceptable risks they are taking with AWIPS2 deployment for over two years; they have ignored our warnings just like they have ignored their legal obligation to bargain with us. When they do bargain with us, their word means absolutely nothing. They, quite frankly, lie to us.
While we have concerns about the safety of the people of Eastern Nebraska, we also understand the need to field test AWIPS2. That is why the NWSEO gave approval for the testing of the system not only at Omaha, but at Boulder, Colorado and Houston, Texas provided all three locations run AWIPS1 and AWIPS2 concurrently (hot backup) so that if they run into a problem with AWIPS2 they could be on AWIPS1 by just flipping a switch. Unfortunately, in the events of last Thursday the forecasters did not realize the problem until it was too late to switch to AWIPS1. It is important to note that of the three approved locations only Omaha felt comfortable enough to use AWIPS2 as their primary server; Boulder and Houston have chosen to remain on AWIPS1 as AWIPS2 has too many bugs yet to be worked out.
However, with an incredible degree of hubris on the part of NWS management that can only be due to some bureaucratically imposed deadline, the agency has now installed AWIPS2 in Norman Oklahoma, the heart of tornado alley, and they have done so without even a hot backup AWIPS1. They have done this over the strong objections of the NWSEO as well as an Unfair Labor Practice charge being submitted at the FLRA. Amazingly next week, the NWS plans to install another AWIPS2, without a hot backup in Blacksburg, Virginia. This will be followed by eight more in the month of May in Raleigh NC, Grand Rapids MI, Des Moines IA, Pueblo CO, Hastings NE, Davenport IA, Tulsa OK and State College PA. I truly hope there is a better reason for this risky and unwise decision than some manager(s) looking to gain favor and to make a name for themselves.
We face a difficult decision at the NWSEO, if we tell the media about the hubris of NWS management and the near catastrophic results, we risk the public losing confidence in NWS warnings which could result in a loss of life. If, however, we do not inform people about mismanagement at the agency, well, if the event in Omaha was a tornado event rather than hail, there could have been catastrophic loss of life. As an alternative, we thought the best course of action for now is to make sure that the highest levels of NOAA know exactly what is happening so that you can take corrective action.
We hope the NWS will be shocked back to their senses by the events of Thursday, stop the unilateral implementation of AWIPS2, and stop the unilateral implementation of the elimination of the ITO position - the same people whom the NWS is ironically counting on to fix AWIPS2. If it had not been for the ITOs in Omaha and Boulder specifically, AWIPS2 would not even be ready for field testing at this juncture. We are hoping the NWS Leadership will make these promises to you because experience shows their promises to the NWSEO are quite hollow.
If the status quo continues, I fear the outcome. After all, what has the NWS done to mitigate the terrible loss of life that occurred with the 2011 tornadoes? Let me answer that for you - nothing, in spite of the NWSEO constantly begging the agency to move forward. I just don’t know how much longer this agency can find this avoidable loss of life acceptable. Clearly the NWS management has lost the confidence of their employees. Our moral dilemma is whether to inform the American Public that they should not have their confidence either.
Daniel A. Sobien
President,
National Weather Service Employees Organization
www.nwseo.org
202-420-1043
Critical Infrastructure Problems Plague
National Weather Service during Tornado Outbreaks
(March 2, 2012) Meteorologists testing the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System, version 2 (AWIPS2), at the NWS Weather Forecast Office In Omaha Nebraska experienced potentially life threatening technical issues and missed critical information as they disseminated warnings. The problems highlight catastrophic infrastructure issues within the NWS as the agency tries to manage multiple technical problems with their already delayed AWIPS2 roll out. Meanwhile, the NWS plans on removing the Information Technology Officers from all weather forecast offices nationwide as part of the Presidents FY 13 budget request, the very same people the agency would count on to fix these technical problems.
The National Weather Service houses an AWIPS at each of the 122 weather forecast offices across the country. AWIPS is the cornerstone for all of the forecasting and warning programs. The agency is in the process of upgrading to a faster, more efficient system, AWIPS 2, but is experiencing technical problems as the implementation takes place. Currently, the weather forecast office in Omaha, Nebraska is the only office to fully implement AWIPS2; Boulder, Colorado and Houston, Texas are in the process of implementing the system. In Omaha, the forecasters did not even know they were in a Tornado Watch as the typical alerting systems and notifications failed to operate correctly. Additionally, products that warn citizens of potential dangers also alerted areas that were not of concern. Finally forecasters were not able to see portions of neighboring radars that might have had a better coverage of the storm.
“The National Weather Service is making rash decisions that could have catastrophic consequences,” said Dan Sobien, president of the National Weather Service Employees Organization. “It makes no sense to implement AWIPS 2 before the program is ready and then fire all the IT specialists who are responsible for fixing the problems.”
AWIPS2 is scheduled to be implemented in the Oklahoma City area (Norman, OK) in about two weeks and unlike Omaha, Norman will not have a backup AWIPS1 system. “They clearly have not worked all of the bugs out of the system, and now they are going to place this machine in the heart of Tornado Alley, right at the beginning of the tornado season, they are going to kill somebody.” Sobien stated.
Media Contact:
Dan Sobien, President NWSEO
202-420-1043
Bill Hopkins, Vice President
202-420-1045
Spanish contact information
Lisa Luciani, 202-907-3036
Media Coverage on this issue
Protect the ITO Position Press Kit
Fact Sheet - Speaking points
Spanish - Fact Sheet - Speaking points
News Release
White Paper - Detailed report on the ITO position
Spanish version - White Paper Detailed report on the ITO position
You can also write to Dr. Jane Lubchenco at:
HCHB Building Suite 6622 Room 5810
Washington DC
Contact your Senator and Congressional Representative
You can call or email your State Senator using the locator below.
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
You can call or email your Congressional Representatives using the locator below:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Media Coverage
News Coverage of President's Obama's 2013 Budget and the ITO Positions
President Obama’s 2013 Budget Plan Cuts Crucial Positions at Weather Forecast Offices,
Jeopardizing the Lifesaving Mission of the National Weather Service
printer friendly
(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 (WFO).
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. During an emergency response, ITOs are crucial to the WFO’s local ability to innovate immediate lifesaving products and services. Because ITOs are meteorologists with information technology skills, they are frequently used to cover shifts and assist WFOs during severe weather, in addition to their regular duties. Most WFOs are only fair weather staffed, meaning there are not enough meteorologists to cover shifts during severe weather outbreaks. The NWS service assessments on the historic 2011 tornados and the 2010 Nashville flood event commended offices for having ITOs on station during the event to help with weather and IT issues.
“The ITO position is crucial to the lifesaving work of weather forecast offices,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “These are the guys who ensure our technology is working and our forecasts are accurate. Without an ITO on site, responses will be slower and lives will be lost during extreme weather events. This is an alarming move backwards when it comes to protecting the public.”
Additional 2013 budget cuts propose eliminating research on improving hurricane intensity forecasts and the air quality forecasts.
“Seriously, with all of the money government wastes, are we going to cut the people who are integral to the tornado warning process?” asked Sobien. “I think if the federal government can afford $39 million for the Blue Angels and $325 million for marching bands, it can afford $15 million to provide its citizens warnings of severe weather. It may not be this year or next, but if these cuts go through, the nation will see another Katrina-like event, and it could have been entirely preventable.”
The President’s FY 2013 budget calls for reduction of $39 million in funding for NWS operations.
-NWSEO-
Media Contact: Dan Sobien, President
National Weather Service Employees Organization
Phone: 202-420-1043
president@nwseo.org
www.nwseo.org
Media Coverage
FLRA charges OPM with violation of labor law in capping Federal employee awards in case brought by NWS employees’ union
(January 17, 2012) In response to a charge filed by the National Weather Service Employees Organization, the General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority has issued an unfair labor practice complaint against the Office of Personnel Management, accusing it of violating federal labor laws when it and OMB issued a directive capping federal employee performance awards at 1 percent of an agency’s payroll. The complaint, issued on January 11, 2012 alleges that OPM failed to consult with NWSEO before issuing the June 10, 2011 directive, as required by the Federal Service Management Relations Statute. Under this law governing federal employee labor relations, OPM is required to notify and obtain the views and recommendations of federal employee unions before issuing any government-wide rules or regulations that make a substantive change in conditions of employment.
The June 2011 guidance was the first time that OPM or OMB has placed a cap on the amount that Federal agencies can allocate for employee performance awards.
A trial date of March 14, 2012 has been set before a Federal Administrative Law Judge. Although OPM did not consult with any union prior to issuing the June 2011 directive, NWSEO was the only Federal employee union that filed unfair labor practice charges against OPM. NWSEO represents the forecasters and other employees at the National Weather Service nationwide, as well as employees in four other line offices in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
NOAA has traditionally set aside 1.5 percent of what it budgets for payroll for employee awards. “OPM’s actions were a patent violation of the basic principles and requirements of the federal labor statute,” said Richard Hirn, the Washington attorney who represents NWSEO and other federal employee unions. “OPM ignored its obligations to federal employee unions in a mad rush to appease the Tea Party and others by cutting federal employees’ paychecks,” Hirn said.
-NWSEO-
Media Contact:
Richard Hirn
NWSEO General Counsel
202-274-1812 (office)
202-255-3141 (mobile)
NWSEO in the Media
Recent Articles
Information Week Government
(January 10, 2012) The National Weather Service has decided not to expend any internal resources to develop device-specific mobile application for iPhones, Androids, or iPads, and the federal agency's union is not happy about it. (Full article)
IT Business Edge - Weather Service Puts App Development on Hold
(January 10, 2012) Feeling your work is on the cutting edge can be a big attraction for a job. So it's no wonder the National Weather Service Employees Union is up in arms about a agency directive not to be building weather apps for specific mobile devices.
Full Article
Washington Post - National Weather Service hold on mobile apps stirs controversy
(January 9, 2012) Weather apps. There are hundreds - perhaps thousands - of them, for mobile phones, tablet PCs, e-readers, and other portable electronic devices. The vast majority of these weather apps are made by private companies, using data provided by the National Weather Service and other sources. The Weather Service itself does not currently have an iPhone or an Android app, despite the explosive growth in the use of these devices, and the fact that many more people already rely on them for hazardous weather information than, say, NOAA Weather Radio. (Full article)
Nextgov - Technology and the Business of Government - The Great Gov Apps Debate Hits NOAA
(January 9, 2012) The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang has put together probably the best presentation to date of the ideological conflict between government-built mobile applications and industry-built apps that rely on government data.
According to the Weather Gang's report, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials put the kibosh on any government-built weather apps in a post-Christmas memo, citing the large number of high-quality and often-free industry-built apps that use National Weather Service data. (Full article)
Politico - Rick Santorum's Campaign could be clouded by 7-year-old attack on National Weather Service
(January 5, 2012) Will Rick Santorum’s lost crusade against the National Weather Service rain on his suddenly hot presidential campaign?
While a seemingly obscure issue next to abortion, gay marriage and tax cuts, weather forecasting inspired a defining controversy for the tail end of Santorum’s U.S. Senate career: his sponsorship of a 2005 bill aimed at hobbling the federal agency’s ability to compete with commercial forecasters like AccuWeather. (Full article)
NWSEO 2011 News Archives
January 2011 Deepwater Horizon Cleanup; Budget holdup will delay NOAA weather satellites
February 2011 NWS Internet Communication Failure; Continuing resolution HR1 proposed budget cuts
National Weather Service’s Catastrophic Failure to Communicate
Jeopardizes Emergency Responders during Blizzard
(February 1, 2011) Large scale communication problems at the National Weather Service are hampering the agency’s ability to relay information to emergency responders, the media, and the general public.
(February 15, 2011) As hurricane and tornado seasons approach, funding for the NWS will be nearly 30 percent less than the first half of 2011, if the Continuing Resolution proposed by the House majority is enacted. printable copy
March 2011
April 2011
April 2011 House Fiscal 11 Budget Proposal could devastate
NWS
life-saving warnings and forecasts
(April 7, 2011) Government offices are bracing for a possible shutdown on April 9 due to a budget impasse in Congress. print copy
Related News Articles
Related News Articles
May 2011
May 2011 Advancing the mission of saving lives– Investments in the NWS could improve tornado warnings
June 2011
June 2011 NWS report reveals dangerous understaffing as
President Obama cites threats to agency funding;
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Washington Post June 29, 2011 - Don't Gut the Weather Service: Obama warns against cutting too much
Houston Chronicle, June 30, 2011 - President: Budget cuts might compromise the National Weather Service
Satellite Gap Could Put Hurricane Forecasts at Risk Herald Tribune, Kate Spinner (June 9, 2011)
July 2011
New York Times, July 21, 2011 “Unions Launch Campaigns to Protect Government Employees in Debt Deal.”
August 2011
August 24, 2011 News Release NWSEO Files Legal Action against OPM Cap on Federal Employee Awards
(August 29, 2011) Politico - NWSEO Slams Fox News op-ed
November 2011
(November 21, 2011) Washington Post: Congress Kills Request for National Climate Service
Congress Kills Request for National Climate Service
December 2011
Washington Post December 29, 2011 - Some things the Government got right in 2011" Some things the Government got right in 2011
"The National Weather Service — often overlooked in conversations about federal disaster response — also deserves credit for once again providing reliable, accurate weather predictions. " (Full article)
December 12, 2011 Houston Chronicle - NOAA Chief: On the Gulf, climate and future of weather forecasting
"The National Weather Service plays a key role both in providing weather forecasts as well as disaster warnings. We will always continue to do better and better, and often times with less and less, and that’s the direction we’re headed, but I don’t foresee any major restructuring." - Dr. Jane Lubchenco
(December 8, 2011) Associated Press - Billion-dollar Weather Disasters Smash US Record
This article emphasizes the importance of theNational Weather Service and it's mission to save lives and property. NWSEO is involved in numerous pilot programs in order to better prepare the public of extreme weather events.
NWSEO 2010 News Archives
Congressman Wu Supports NWSEO's Stand Against Eliminating Positions at Wallops Island Station
(June 25, 2010) Congressman David Wu (D-OR) wrote a letter to Department of Congress Secretary Gary Locke expressing concerns over NOAA's plans to base the tracking station for the next generation of polar tracking satellites to Spitzenbergen Island. Read Congressman Wu's letter here.
(April 6, 2010) By the end of April, nearly 200 NWS employees should receive overtime pay as a result of NWSEO grievances. Last fall, NWSEO filed two grievances challenging the FLSA exempt status of met interns, GS-12 regional maintenance specialists, GS-11 facilities engineering technicians, and approximately 80 other positions.
NWS Submits new plan to FAA to Enhance Aviation Safety
(March 26, 2010) The NWS delivered a plan to the FAA last week, designed to enhance aviation safety by providing 24/7 coverage to FAA Air Traffic Controllers for flight assists while maintaining face to face contact between NWS Meteorologists and Controllers during the busiest hours of the day.
NWS Quality of Work Life Team Commends NWSEO Fair Pay efforts for ASAs
(March 26, 2010) The NWS Quality of Work Life Team commends NWSEO on their efforts to secure fair pay for ASAs and acknowledges the difficulty of retaining quality ASAs when other agencies pay more money for similar work.
Federal Employees to Receive Retirement Credit in for Unused Sick Leave
(March 26, 2010) Federal employees under the Federal Employees Retirement System will receive credit for their unused sick leave in their retirement calculations. President Barack Obama signed the provision, which is part of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act, into law last week.
NWSEO Wins Appeal - NWSEO to Bargain to Increase Staffing at Anchorage WFO by 10 Positions
( March 23, 2010) The Federal Labor Relations Authority reversed its earlier decision and sustained NWSEO's negotiability appeal in the Anchorage WFO case. This directs the National Weather Service to bargain with NWSEO over a proposal that would increase staffing at the Anchorage WFO by ten positions.
NWSEO Supports Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Costs
((March 23, 2010) NWSEO is joining other federal unions in support of a bill designed to ensure that federal employees receive the best benefits at the most affordable prices.
NWSEO President Co-Chairs New DOC National Labor Management Forum
(March 5, 2010) NWSEO President Dan Sobien spent the first week of March in Washington DC as co-chair of the Department of Commerce Labor Management Forum.
NWSEO’s Diligent Work Pays Off: Department of Commerce Puts the Brakes on Plans to Consolidate CWSUs
(February 8, 2010) The Department of Commerce has decided it will not accede to the FAA’s request to close and consolidate the NWS Center Weather Service Units located at 21 ARTCCs. Secretary Gary Locke made the decision after meeting personally with NWSEO President Dan Sobien, Vice President Bill Hopkins and General Counsel Richard Hirn to discuss the issue. New political appointees at NOAA, including Under Secretary Dr. Jane Lubchenco and her staff helped facilitate the decision.
NWSEO Endorses the National Climate Service Roll Out
February 8, 2010) NWSEO President Dan Sobien and Vice President Bill Hopkins participated in the unveiling of the National Climate Service on Monday February 8, 2010. NWSEO's collaboration on the design of the NCS secured that the products, services and the role of the National Weather Service will be preserved as will our jobs.
CWSU Update - New Concept Test at Three Cities
(February 8, 2010) NWSEO's diligent work to prevent the consolidation of CWSU is showing results. The NWS delivery of DemVal has been put on hold and NWSEO has a commitment that new resources (including FTEs) will be placed at the CWSUs or otherwise used in the aviation program. NWSEO and NWS are working together to develop solutions to weather related aviation problems. This includes special projects with increased NWS personnel at the CWSU and WFOs in New York City, Atlanta, and Chicago.
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