AFGE is calling for the nomination of David Cummins as the next administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to be withdrawn by the Trump administration or voted down by the U.S. Senate.
Cummins fails to meet three basic priorities that AFGE deems critical for the next administrator: respect workers’ rights, oppose further privatization of airport security, and have the necessary security experience and background.
AFGE outlined these priorities in a letter sent to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee ahead of Cummins’ confirmation hearing on July 16. In a statement issued following the hearing, President Kelley said Cummins is not worthy to lead this critical agency.
“A federal court has twice affirmed that the collective bargaining agreement between AFGE and TSA remains in force. Yet Mr. Cummins told senators during today’s hearing that collective bargaining rights for TSOs ‘hinder’ the mission under the guise of ‘national security’ because the contract provides workers some input over their work conditions.
“He embraced a budget that would cut 8,400 TSO jobs and cynically stated that TSA is ‘aggressively pushing the expansion of the SPP program’ due to the false argument that private contractors are immune from future government shutdowns.
“And he has never served a day in government. His predecessors led the Coast Guard and helped run the FBI. Mr. Cummins ran toll roads and parking programs for contractors.
“The administration must withdraw this nomination and put forward a qualified leader who respects the workforce and will protect the traveling public from heedless experiments to benefit contractors’ bottom lines. Otherwise, the United States Senate must not consent to his nomination.”
In a response to written questions from Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) after the hearing, Cummins was clear in his lack of support for TSA workers’ union rights. “I believe that TSA will operate more efficiently and effectively without a Collective Bargaining Agreement,” he said.
“TSOs worked through the two longest government shutdowns in American history without pay – sleeping in cars, selling plasma, receiving donations at food banks to feed their families – and never let down the traveling public,” Kelley said. “They deserve a leader worthy of them. Today’s Senate hearing showed David Cummins is not that leader.”
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AFGE is calling for the nomination of David Cummins as the next administrator of the Transportation Security Administration to be withdrawn by the Trump administration or voted down by the U.S. Senate.
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