(September 17, 2024) A settlement has been reached in a grievance filed by the National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO) concerning management's delay in making a temporary promotion at a Central Region Weather Forecast Office (WFO). The agreement, reached on September 12, 2024, ensures that a General Forecaster performing higher-level duties without compensation will receive the pay he would have earned had he been formally promoted.
The grievance, originally filed on March 25, 2024, was triggered by management's failure to implement a temporary promotion in a timely manner. In January 2024, a Lead Forecaster accepted a non-bargaining position in another office, with a start date set for late March. Following this, the local steward promptly notified the Meteorologist-In-Charge (MIC) of the need for a temporary promotion to fill the upcoming vacancy. Although the contract clearly mandates that "a temporary promotion will be made as soon as practicable, but no later than four (4) pay periods after the BU vacancy begins," management delayed the promotion, citing budget concerns, and instead assigned the General Forecaster to cover the duties without compensation.
The grievance was initially denied, and the matter was headed for arbitration. However, both parties agreed to drop the arbitration and resolve the issue through compensation for the General Forecaster, bringing the dispute to a close.
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