FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 09, 2003
September 09, 2003
Enid Doggett
Diane Witiak
(202) 639-6419
Diane Witiak
(202) 639-6419
AFGE Praises House Resolution Providing Collective Bargaining Rights for TSA Screeners
Text of Sense of Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C.—An AFGE-backed Sense of Congress Resolution introduced today in the House of Representatives by Congressman Robert Andrews would strongly urge that: (1) All airport screening functions continue to be performed by federal employees; (2) all employees of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) be afforded collective bargaining rights, and; (3) full funding be provided to TSA so that screeners can do their jobs properly.
“Without a professional and experienced federal work force, afforded the same rights and protections as other federal employees, the American people may once again fall prey to terrorists, intent on the destruction of our freedom and democracy,” stated John Gage, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
“TSA managers are ill-prepared to manage the federal government’s airport screener workforce. As a result, TSA screeners face unsafe working conditions, abusive supervisors, discrimination and unfairly-applied standards,” Gage added. “Most screeners are fearful of pointing out potentially dangerous practices for fear of immediate dismissal.”
“Congress recognizes the valuable role unions play in serving the public interest. At TSA, the union’s role should not only be viewed as just a public service, but as a critical component in achieving the mission of TSA to protect the lives of Americans and their families,” Gage emphasized.
“AFGE and the TSA employees it represents across the country thank Rep. Andrews for his introduction of this important resolution,” Gage added. “We urge lawmakers in the House to sign on to this important Sense of Congress resolution.”
The American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, is the largest union for government employees, representing some 600,000 federal workers in the United States and overseas, as well as employees of the District of Columbia. Log onto www.afge.org to learn more about AFGE and its organizing campaign to represent airport screeners.
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