WHO:
American Federation of Government Employees, the union representing Transportation SecurityAdministration Employees
WHAT:
Solidarity stand to show support for Pittsburgh TSOs
WHERE:
Pittsburgh International Airport, Landside Terminal, Conference Room C
WHEN:
Monday, Nov. 3; 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
(PITTSBURGH)—The American Federation of Government Employees, the union that represents TSA workers nationwide, will hold an event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 3 to call for full bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) and to charter a new union local at the airport. AFGE currently is involved in a campaign to garner cosponsors for H.R. 3212, the bill that will grant TSOs the same collective bargaining rights and workplace protections of other federal workers. TSOs at Pittsburgh have been active in AFGE’s campaign to organize TSA staff nation wide and to obtain the same collective bargaining rights available to other national law enforcement officers.
AFGE National Third District Vice President Jeffrey Williams recently met with interim officers of the new local to congratulate them and discuss the officer responsibilities. Williams also was on hand earlier this month as AFGE chartered a new local in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh Local 332 brings the number of AFGE TSA Locals to 22.
“AFGE is excited to add yet another new Local to its growing list of localized chapters across the country,” AFGE National President John Gage said. “The new Local signifies a growing trend among TSOs that they want local representation, while belonging to the largest—and among the most influential—federal employee union in the nation. AFGE is the only union that can offer that, and will continue its drive to have Locals in every major city in the U.S.”
As the only labor union to represent TSOs since the agency’s inception, AFGE is the foremost authority on labor issues pertaining to the TSA workforce. Members of Congress most often look to AFGE as the official source of information on TSA matters and the union frequently is invited to testify on such issues. Although TSOs remain deprived of the right to bargain collectively, AFGE regularly represents these employees before the TSA Disciplinary Review Board, EEOC, Congress, and in courts and the media. AFGE remains the strongest advocate for workplace rights at TSA.