For the first time since its inception two decades ago, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is seeking funding to pay TSA officers at General Schedule levels. That means an average 30% pay increase for the officers.
TSA is finally moving TSOs to the GS pay system, which is what AFGE has been calling for since the inception of the agency.
“If Congress adopts the budget, TSA’s pay equity plan provides that TSA’s TSO workforce, which has lagged behind its federal counterparts, would see an average 30% increase in base pay and federal air marshals would see an average 20% increase in base pay,” TSA said in a statement that accompanies the budget request. “Other TSA employees, such as intelligence analysts, canine handlers and non-screener administrative employees at our nation’s airports would also see an increase in base pay commensurate with their federal colleagues.”
The budget request reflects Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’s commitment to TSOs and AFGE.
Mayorkas last year directed TSA administrator David Pekoske to issue a new determination that will give TSOs more workplace rights and give them a pay boost consistent with the General Schedule system, which covers most federal workers.
As a result, TSA is seeking the budget to fund TSO pay at the GS levels. In addition, the department is seeking funding to establish a system to support expanded collective bargaining and merit systems protection for the workforce.
“TSA recognizes that significant parts of its workforce are underpaid relative to the private sector and comparable Federal government employees,” said Homeland Security in its budget document. “For example, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are paid nearly twice that of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at their full performance level. The lack of equitable compensation in this area, compounded by years of insufficient pay progression, impedes TSA’s ability to meet mission requirements in the recruitment and retention of employees. Appropriately compensating TSA employees is essential to improving the morale and retention of these essential employees and building upon the overall employee experience at TSA.”
President Biden requested $9.7 billion for TSA, which is $1.4 billion more than last year’s budget. A few details:
To offset TSA’s funding increase, the administration seeks to terminate TSA’s deficit reduction contributions. This would free up $1.5 billion in Passenger Fee collections originally intended for security purposes but were diverted to the general fund to help with deficit reduction.
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