WASHINGTON — Congressmen Barney Frank and John Tierney today responded to accusations from the National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO) alleging that Department of Commerce Secretary Locke’s recent actions to address unfairness by law enforcement are politically motivated. Secretary Locke recently announced several reforms in response to the Inspector General’s (IG) report to increase accountability and transparency and strengthen the public's trust in NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement and the General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation. The IG report identified multiple cases of likely abuse of police or legal authority in the federal fisheries law enforcement system and argued that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration needs to redress miscarriages of justice against fishermen.
The NWSEO’s made the following statement in a letter written to NOAA General Counsel Lois Schiffer and Department of Commerce General Counsel Elise Steinberg:
“NWSEO is keenly aware of the serious political trouble that Democratic officeholders are facing in their re-election efforts in Massachusetts. This desperation does not give the agency an excuse to engage in serious and blatant violations of Federal labor law.”
Frank and Tierney issued the following statements in response:
“I will not be intimidated by the NWSEO’s attempt to deflect attention of serious allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officials,” said Frank. “I am particularly troubled that a union would take such a hostile stance against working fisherman and their families who have been victims of unfairness. Additionally, the allegations of misconduct were not documented by Members of Congress, but by the nonpolitical Inspector General who thoroughly investigated this matter. I am pleased that Secretary Locke acted swiftly and appropriately to the IG’s scathing report, and I applaud the Secretary and the Inspector General for their leadership and integrity.”
“Instead of taking uninformed political swipes at those fighting for local fishermen, the NWSEO should get a better grip on the facts. It is well-known that it was the Department of Commerce’s Inspector General, an independent, non-political entity, which investigated the claims of misconduct by law enforcement officials. In response, Secretary Locke has initiated appropriate action and I am pleased that he did so. I will keep working to ensure our fishermen are treated fairly and anticipate that members of NWSEO will also be treated fairly throughout the process,” said Congressman John F. Tierney.