The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it has ended collective bargaining for transportation security officers with the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).
In a release obtained solely by the FOX Business, DHS said TSA has more people doing “full-time union work” than running screening functions at 86% of US airports.
This means that out of the 432 federal airports, 374 have fewer than 200 TSA officers running screening functions.
These officers are paid by the government, but they work “work full-time on union issues” and do not hold certifications to perform screening functions, DHS said.
The department cited a recent TSA employee survey. This found that over 60% of “poor performers” are allowed to maintain employment, and “not surprising, they continue to perform.”
The DHS said these situations hinder TSA's main liability. “Protecting the transportation system and keeping Americans safe.”
DHS argued that by eliminating collective bargaining, airports would become more efficient by “reducing bureaucratic hurdles to increased productivity and reducing passenger waiting times at security lines.”
DHS said transport security guards will be promoted based on performance rather than longevity or union members.
“thank you [DHS] The transport guards, the actions of Chief Noem, will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to unions that do not represent them. The Trump administration is committed to returning to merit-based employment and layoff policies,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.
“This action ensures that Americans are more effective and modernised. [workforce] This means short airport security waits across the national transport network. The TSA is renewing its commitment to providing Americans with a fast and safe travel process. ”
The U.S. Government Employee Federation, representing TSOS, has pushed back the claims of DHS, and the TSO, which volunteers as union representatives, accounts for less than half of all working hours at TSA, with TSAs with a small number of union representatives nationwide, less than the total number of cleaners at 86% of individual federal airports.
“47,000 transport security guards appear every day at over 400 airports across the country to ensure the air is safe for the Air Force. Many of them are veterans who will never happen again, from serving the military nation to ensuring another terrorist attack, like September 11, wearing a second uniform protecting their homeland,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelly, who characterized Friday's announcement as a “unprovoked attack” by DHS Director Norme and the Trump administration.
“They gave a fully-formed claim about union staff as justification. This action makes clear that it has nothing to do with efficiency, security or homeland security. This is just an excuse to attack the rights of ordinary Americans across the country, as they happen to belong to the union,” Kelly said. “Our union is challenging the administration's illegal actions targeting federal workers, both in courts and public opinion. TSA officials are currently paying the price for this clearly retaliatory action.”
