No Aircraft
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
Pilot departed SLE and gave me a tops report. I assume Tower must have asked the pilot to report the tops since he did so right after check on. I filled out a PIREP form and sent it off. The PIREP came out but was wrong. It showed OVC013 TOP013. I had the Supervisor go back down to the TMU with the correction. Another corrected report came out shortly afterward. I called SLE Tower to make sure they had received the PIREP but they said they had not received it on the FDIO Printer. I called TMU and asked if they could send the PIREP to SLE and they said that they could not send it. I told them they most certainly can and that I wanted them to send it to SLE Tower. The individual argued with me that he could not send the PIREP to the Tower and needed an address to send to it.  I said I didn't know right off hand and I would have to research it. He asked for an address again and again. Then he asked if the address was SLET. I mentioned that might work but that I wasn't sure and would have to do some research to find out for sure. However; my main concern is that the individual was not even aware that he needed to or even could send it to the Tower! How many PIREPs have we assumed were sent to the Tower which were not really sent? We never know unless we call the Tower to verify it. I would electronically forward the PIREPS to the Tower if I could but I do not have the tools to do so. TMU has the tools; but refuses to do so either because of improper training or a willful choice not do so. Have a software string written to allow automated forwarding of PIREPS to the Towers. Provide training to TMU personnel and stress the importance of sending PIREP information to all concerned facilities including Towers. In this case; the PIREP clearly impacted their operations and was within their area of jurisdiction. I had put SLE for the weather reporting station and SLE for the location. I don't know what else I can do except remind them to send it to the Tower each time I send a PIREP.
ZSE Controller voiced concern regarding the TMU's apparent lack of awareness regarding sending PIREPS to Towers in the area; noting some training in this area is needed.