Union says NIOSH employees expected to return to work are still on termination list
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3430 celebrated Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's (R-W.Va.) announcement that some NIOSH (FULL) employees are expected to return to work at the Morgantown facility this week, but it's only a temporary solution.
According to a press release from Local 3430, the 'several' employees that are expected to return to work this week are related to programs like the Coal Workers' Health Surveillance Program (CWHSP) and the Fire Fighters' Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP). Although these are 'vital initiatives,' the union said they are 'only a portion' of what NIOSH does.
Additionally, the union said that those employees that are expected to return to work are still on the Reduction in Force (RIF) list that is scheduled for termination on June 2.
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At the beginning of the month, approximately 200 Morgantown NIOSH employees were laid off as part of federal cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), removing the workforce behind the federal government's resources and research for worker safety.
'At its core, NIOSH makes government more effective and efficient by improving the health andsafety of America's workforce. Its science-based research, practical interventions, and collaborative partnerships not only save lives but also generate significant economic benefits,' the Local 3430 release said.
Sen. Capito said Tuesday that she is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to find a more permanent solution.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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