MORGANTOWN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 3430 will hold an informational picket on Thursday, May 22, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the corner of Willowdale Road and Route 705 in Morgantown.
The event aims to raise awareness of ongoing staffing challenges at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and to show solidarity with a national rally taking place the same day in Washington, D.C.
The demonstration follows the recent rescinding of Reduction in Force (RIF) notices for just over 100 employees at NIOSH’s Morgantown facility.
While this step helped stabilize the local workforce, around 100 additional employees nationwide are still facing termination.
These notices are expected to take effect on June 2, 2025.
“The work we do at NIOSH is not just vital, it is collaborative, evidence-based, and essential to protecting the health and safety of workers across the country,” said Cathy Tinney-Zara, President of AFGE Local 3430.
“This work cannot be accomplished in silos. We need every team member, at every NIOSH site, working together to fulfill our mission.”
The Morgantown picket coincides with a broader AFGE and AFL-CIO national rally in Washington, D.C., calling attention to the need to protect the mission, workforce, and integrity of all NIOSH facilities.
Demonstrations will also be held in cities including Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Denver, Anchorage, Spokane, Atlanta, and others.
