Federal Shutdown Looms –
National Weather Service Employees Carry on Mission of Saving Lives and Property
printable copy
(April 7, 2011) Government offices are bracing for a possible shutdown on April 9 due to a budget impasse in Congress. All National Weather Service forecasts, watches and warnings will continue on a 24 hours a day - 7 days a week basis while the financial matters of the FY11 budget are resolved.
While many employees of the National Weather Service are considered “essential” and will report to work, a large number of their co-workers who are not under the “essential employee” status will be furloughed. These employees have positions that are integral to the weather service’s mission of saving lives and property.
Employees of the National Weather Service, however, are prepared to go to work – with no guarantee of payment. Paychecks will be delayed for essential employees, if they receive one at all. For those employees considered non-essential, there will be no work and presumably no paycheck.
“Dedication – it takes only one word to describe the National Weather Service,” said Dan Sobien, President of the National Weather Service Employees Organization. “The men and women of the National Weather Service went into this field for the mission of saving lives and property. To carry out this mission, we need all of the employees of the National Weather Service. Each position is essential.”
“We regularly endure great hardships, knowing our careers will not lead to great wealth, but out of a love for the service to others. That’s what we’re here to do and that’s what we’ll do whether there’s a government shutdown or not.”
-NWSEO-
Media contact: National Weather Service Employees Organization
Dan Sobien, President NWSEO, 202-420-1043