Since the shutdown is nearing a second week, I thought I’d share a thread as Union Steward on how it is affecting me and the @NWS - the agency I work for. While life-saving services continue, the shutdown most certainly still has negative consequences: 
The National AMS conference starts next weekend. Thousands of people will gather for it, but unless the shutdown ends- very unlikely anyone from NOAA is going (no travel permitted except for emergencies). So much lost time and money that can’t be recovered.
In mid-January, NHC starts to host #hurricane preparedness training weeks for emergency managers and decision makers from across the southern & eastern US. The shutdown means those classes will be cancelled if it reaches that date- not good for US hurricane readiness.
Meanwhile, no one will be getting paid from my agency. While I’m ok for January- if the shutdown stretches into February, things are going to get very tight very quickly.
Also worth noting that model development grinds to a halt during a shutdown. Can’t be good for hurricane season and it isn’t like we can manufacture time to regain-plus seems likely to lead to delays in new FV3GFS implementation.
Workforce management is also shutdown- so there won’t be any hires. Now many current openings will be delayed, and the new ones to come open will be pushed back as well. Not great for a workforce that is nowhere near fully staffed.
Speaking of, our associated contractors are also losing many working hours eithe furloughed or working at reduced rates from home. Just can’t recover this lost time.
Overall this is millions of working hours gone for nothing. Doesn’t even include the tons of time lost by management/staff preparing/implementing the shutdown, not to mention the time reopening. Instead of working to improve things, people are stuck in administrative hell.
It is only my personal opinion, but I don’t see how this helps anyone. Already with low morale bc of no pay raise, the shutdown makes employees feel like pawns, worry & become less productive, plus this ends up more costly down the road. Please put us back to work soon! /fin
