Sherry Chen Action Alert 2018

Secure Sherry Chen’s Victory over the Department of Commerce

On April 23, 2018, the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) ruled that the Department of Commerce (DOC) did not have cause to fire Sherry and therefore ordered the agency to (1) reinstate her employment at the National Weather Service and (2) pay her back pay plus benefits.

This victory may be temporary if we do not act – the DOC has until May 28 to appeal the MSPB’s decision. If they do so, Sherry will be dragged into yet another lengthy process.

Here is what what you can do:

  1. Sign up here to register your support to Sherry, and the call for the DOC to accept the MSPB decision.
  1. Contact your House Representatives and Senators and ask them to support the MSPB decision.  Find their contact info here.  See below for sample language for a phone call or letter.
  1. Share this message with your friends, neighbors and colleagues.

 

Sample Language for Phone Call 

I am a constituent from [City, State]. I am calling to share with you a recent decision of the U.S. Merit System Protection Board against the Department of Commerce, and ask the the congressman/senator to support the MSPB decision.

The MSPB found that the DOC wrongfully fired a Chinese American scientist, Sherry Chen, and ordered the DOC to reinstate her employment at the National Weather Service. Sherry Chen is an award scientist and her work was used to predict floods and avoid loss of lives and property damage along the Mississippi River. Due to the DOC’s gross injustice and wrongful actions, Sherry Chen has been not able to work for the American people in the past two years.

I’d like to ask the congressman/senator to

  • Call on the DOC to accept the MSPB’s well reasoned decision, and comply with it and allow Sherry Chen to go back to work immediately.
  • Urge the DOC Inspector General conduct a full investigation into the handling of Sherry’s case, for racial bias, abuse of power, violation of due process, and lack of efficiency.

Sample Email/Letter to DOC Secretary, DOC Inspector general and Congress 

Please click here for a sample letter.

You are also welcome to reference OCAA Letter to Commerce Secretary Ross.

Key contact information:

Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
Secretary of Commerce
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20230
(202) 482-4246
WLRoss@doc.gov

Peggy E. Gustafson
Inspector General
U.S. Department of Commerce
Office of Inspector General
1401 Constitution Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20230
202.482.4661
pgustafson@oig.doc.gov