Hundreds protested in Seattle against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) mass firing of over 300 employees at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The firings disproportionately impacted contract workers, many of whom are women, people of color, and members of the local community with extensive knowledge of the Bering Sea ecosystem.
The employees, many with years of experience, were let go as NOAA transitioned to a new contractor, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). Protestors argued that the abrupt shift disrupted vital long-term research on the Bering Sea, crucial for understanding climate change impacts and managing fisheries sustainably. They expressed concerns about potential data loss, degradation of long-term studies, and the loss of valuable institutional knowledge held by the fired employees.
Demonstrators accused NOAA of prioritizing cost savings over scientific integrity and neglecting the impact on the local community. They highlighted the importance of the research conducted by the fired employees for the Alaskan fishing industry and the health of the Bering Sea ecosystem. Critics claim SAIC’s selection was not transparent and will ultimately harm the quality and continuity of NOAA’s research. They urged NOAA to reconsider its decision and prioritize the expertise of the displaced workers.
find the original article here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/hundreds-protest-mass-firing-noaa-011703686.html