DHS Moves to End Collective Bargaining for TSA Officers
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is moving to end collective bargaining for tens of thousands of Transportation Security Administration airport screeners, less than a year after TSA’s workforce inked a landmark labor agreement.
The Department of Homeland Security announced plans “ending collective bargaining” for TSA’s transportation screening officers in a press release today.
The DHS public affairs office cast the move as increasing efficiency, safety and “organizational agility.” It charged that a “select few poor performers” are taking advantage of the agreement’s family and sick leave policy. DHS’ press release also claimed that nearly 200 TSOs — out of a screening workforce of approximately 47,000 — work “full time” on union matters.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley in a statement today called the move to end collective bargaining for TSO’s “clear retaliation” against the union. Kelley also said the claims about union officials and time were “clearly fabricated.”
“Our union has been out in front challenging this administration’s unlawful actions targeting federal workers, both in the legal courts and in the court of public opinion,” Kelley said. “Now our TSA officers are paying the price with this clearly retaliatory action.”