Story ID: 
NOAA Seeing Probationary Employee Layoffs
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: More than 800 of 12,000 NOAA employees are reported in line with the layoffs
Word Count: 182
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) has become the next U.S. government agency subject to layoffs. According to multiple reports, more than 800 probationary employees are receiving layoff notices. NOAA, which had a staff of 12,000, provides key weather forecasting and other data, including for aviation operations.
These NOAA layoffs follow those conducted at other agencies, including the FAA, which earlier this month cut positions involving probationary employees.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) objected to the latest round, saying, “The firings jeopardize our ability to forecast and respond to extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods—putting communities in harm’s way. This action is a direct hit to our economy because NOAA’s specialized workforce provides products and services that support more than a third of the nation’s GDP.”
Cantwell earlier had urged that the National Weather Service, a division of NOAA, be exempted from potential layoffs, saying such firings “would jeopardize the safety of the American public.” Crucially, NWS produces aviation weather information and forecasts used by pilots in flight planning.