FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2004
April 22, 2004
Adele Stan
(202) 639-6448
(202) 639-6448
AFGE Questions Administrations Commitment To TSA
(WASHINGTON, D.C.)—Members of Congress today validated concerns the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has raised about the viability of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). AFGE, which represents TSA screeners, has raised questions concerning staffing issues and management.
In a packed hearing room on Capitol Hill today, the House Aviation Subcommittee examined a study that could determine the future of airport security in the United States.
More than half the Congressman and women present questioned the wisdom of returning the nations airport security system to private companies.
“Whenever you see a Congressional hearing room that packed, you can bet that millions of tax payers dollars are at stake,” said John Gage, National President of AFGE.
“Sadly, our worst fears were echoed by Representatives Robert Menendez, (D-NJ), and Shelley Berkley, (D-NV), both of whom wondered aloud whether TSA had been deliberately under staffed and hampered in order to create an excuse to once again contract out airport security to companies driven by profit margins. Every day, we hear from the TSA screeners of unfair management practices and the impact of under staffing at airports.”
Despite an Administration directive denying full union rights for TSA screeners, AFGE continues to organize the screening workforce, representing airport screeners in the courts of law and public opinion.
In a packed hearing room on Capitol Hill today, the House Aviation Subcommittee examined a study that could determine the future of airport security in the United States.
More than half the Congressman and women present questioned the wisdom of returning the nations airport security system to private companies.
“Whenever you see a Congressional hearing room that packed, you can bet that millions of tax payers dollars are at stake,” said John Gage, National President of AFGE.
“Sadly, our worst fears were echoed by Representatives Robert Menendez, (D-NJ), and Shelley Berkley, (D-NV), both of whom wondered aloud whether TSA had been deliberately under staffed and hampered in order to create an excuse to once again contract out airport security to companies driven by profit margins. Every day, we hear from the TSA screeners of unfair management practices and the impact of under staffing at airports.”
Despite an Administration directive denying full union rights for TSA screeners, AFGE continues to organize the screening workforce, representing airport screeners in the courts of law and public opinion.
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