UnionmakesmovetogetTSO'scollectivebargainingrightsByLeischenStelter-02.23.2010
WASHINGTON—Inanefforttofacilitategiving40,000transportationsecurityofficerscollectivebargainingrights,theAmericanFederationofGovernmentEmployeesannouncedduringapressconferenceonMondaythattheyarefilingapetitionseekinganelectiontoestablishwhowillrepresentTSOs.
TheAFGEandtheNationalTreasuryEmployeesUnionarebothvyingtorepresentairportscreenersastheirofficialunion.
ThisannouncementwaslargelymadeoutoffrustrationstemmingfromafailuretoelectaheadoftheTransportationSecurityAdministration,saidJohnGage,presidentofAFGE.“Wehavebeenpatientwaitingforatransportationadministratortobenamedandwe’redisappointedwithErrollSouthersbackingoutofthenomination,”hesaid.“We’regoingtocontinueforcollectivebargainingrightsandknowwe’regoingtogetitandwehavetogetit.”
EstablishingwhichunionorganizationwillrepresentTSOsatthispointintimewillhopefullyfacilitateandspeeduptheprocessinwhichcollectivebargainingrightsaregranted,hesaid.“Bysettlingthequestionofrepresentationfirst,AFGEwillbereadytobeginnegotiationsassoonasthebargainingrightsareestablished,”hesaidinastatement.
However,thisisnotanidealsituationforTSOs.ColleenKelley,presidentoftheNationalTreasuryEmployeesUnion,whoisalsocompetingtorepresentairportemployees,toldtheWashingtonPostthatherorganizationswouldwinanyelection.Butshetoldthepublication,“Itwouldbeafarbetterscenarioforemployeesiftheadministrationwouldgrantthemcollectivebargainingrights.Itisunclearwhatanexclusiverepresentativewouldmeanunderthisstructure.”
TheAFGEfiledtheirpetitioncallingforanelectiononMonday,butthereisnoguaranteethattheFederalLaborRelationsAuthoritywillgrantthemthepetition.