Working force at NOAA face potential 17% reduction next year, following dismissal of hundreds of temporary staff members
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently embroiled in a contentious class-action lawsuit, following the termination of around 800 probationary staff members in February 2025. The lawsuit, filed by the Civil Service Law Center LLP, alleges that NOAA violated the Privacy Act and used inaccurate personnel records to justify the dismissals.
The terminations, which coincided with broader agency plans to cut its workforce by approximately 17% and eliminate funding for major climate research programs, have drawn significant legal and public scrutiny. The lawsuit seeks to represent all individuals who were NOAA employees in probationary status as of February 27, 2025, and who received a “Notification of Termination During Trial Period” around that date.
The allegations centre around the use of inaccurate data for terminations. Federal employees under the Privacy Act can challenge adverse personnel actions based on inaccurate or incomplete records. The Civil Service Law Center argues that government decisions based on inaccurate or incomplete records are unlawful, regardless of the employee's tenure.
Christine Buckel, a marine biologist with nearly 23 years of service at NOAA, was one of the affected employees. She was placed in a probationary period after a recent promotion. The lawsuit states that inaccurate performance data was used in the terminations of 10,000 employees at the Department of Health and Human Services, suggesting a broader pattern of questionable practices.
Clayton Bailey, partner and co-founder of the Civil Service Law Center, considers the NOAA firings as "blatantly unlawful conduct." Fired NOAA employees have started to receive SF-50 forms, which officially document their separation from the federal government. When terminated employees file for unemployment benefits, NOAA contests their applications, citing failure to meet performance expectations during the probationary period.
The lawsuit remains active, and its outcome could have significant implications for federal employment practices and NOAA’s future capabilities. The agency's budget plan would eliminate unnecessary layers of bureaucracy, terminate nonessential grant programs, and end activities that do not warrant a Federal role. NOAA expects to eliminate Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and transfer some of its functions to the National Ocean Service and National Weather Service.
The NOAA's FY 2026 proposal aims to cut more than $1.8 billion from its current budget, and the agency would get a $4.5 billion total budget next year under this plan. The agency is also looking to transfer its responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act to the Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service.
As the case progresses, affected employees are encouraged to contact the Civil Service Law Center LLP to join the proposed class and receive updates. The lawsuit against NOAA includes a mix of new hires and long-term employees who were reclassified as probationary after promotions. The impact on NOAA Operations and employee concerns are significant, with former employees arguing that their dismissal was unjust and that their contributions are vital for the agency’s mission and public safety.
- The workforce reimagining at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is currently under legal scrutiny, as the dismissal of around 10,000 employees, including long-term ones, has been alleged to be unlawful due to the use of inaccurate data and violation of the Privacy Act.
- The legal battle surrounding the federal workforce at NOAA could have far-reaching implications for the financial aspect of federal employment practices, as the future of civil service may hinge on the accuracy of personnel records and the legality of adverse personnel actions based on those records.
