NWSEO Files Grievance and Unfair Labor Practices for NWS’s Refusal to Fill Vacant Positions;
Files ULP for NWS Refusal to Bargain over AWIPS 2 Deployment
(March 20, 2012) NWSEO working full force to keep ITOs employed and ensure vacancies are filled. Last week, the union filed two Unfair Labor Practices and one Union Grievance regarding the agency’s refusal to follow federal statutes and the collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
“During my tenure, this is a new low for weather management relations within the National Weather Service,” said NWSEO President Dan Sobien. “We’ve made many attempts to repair the relationship with management, but they’re ignoring our efforts to reach out to them.”
The Union Grievance, filed on March 14, cites seven examples of how the Agency’s refusal to fill vacant ITO positions is a violation of the parties’ collective bargaining agreements and the Federal Labor Relations Statutes. Among its demands, NWSEO wants immediate steps to fill all vacant ITO positions and that selectees given a promotion receive the promotion retroactive to February 23 with back pay. Union Grievance
NWS Deploys AWIPS 2 Without Responding to NWSEO’s Demands for Impact and Implementation Bargaining
NWSEO filed an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) with the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) against the National Weather Service for deploying AWIPS 2 in local forecast offices throughout the country without providing the union the opportunity to bargain over the impact and implementation of AWIPS2.
The ULP states that the implementation will increase the workload of ITOs and forecasters.
It also states that because AWIPS 2 is not functioning properly, it may jeopardize forecasters’ ability to meet performance standards. NWSEO demanded bargaining on the impact and implementations of AWIPS 2 when it was given notice of the deployment schedule on February 22. The agency proceeded with deployment without responding to the union’s bargaining demands. AWIPS 2 Unfair Labor Practice
Relocation - Postponed Promotion ULP
NWSEO also filed a ULP with FLRA against the National Weather Service for failing to authorize relocation expenses for employees selected for positions within the agency, for postponing relocation and promotion of employees selected for new positions at other offices, and for placing a hold on filling positions in Southern Region offices - depriving employees of opportunities for promotion and increasing the workload of employees at offices where there are vacancies. ULP Relocation
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