Contact:
Michael Newberger
202-702-2724
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – The American Federation of Government Employees is pleased to announce that it has ratified a new contract with the Transportation Security Administration.
AFGE Council 100, which represents transportation security officers at airports across the country, and TSA reached a tentative agreement that will significantly improve the working conditions of America’s transportation security officers and strengthen our nation’s air security infrastructure. That tentative agreement was ratified Monday, March 11th, by leaders of AFGE TSA local unions nationwide.
Some of the contract’s major improvements include a streamlined grievance and arbitration process, a significant jump in uniform allowances, and contractual recognition of workplace and civil rights. The collective bargaining agreement also empowers America’s TSOs to have more of a say in the safety and operations of their airports at both the national and local levels.
“The new collective bargaining agreement with the TSA is a watershed moment for the members of AFGE who keep our skies safe. Since the TSA’s inception, TSOs have lacked many of the fundamental rights their colleagues at other federal agencies enjoy,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley. “This CBA is a giant leap forward toward a more equitable TSA.”
This new contract is the product of years of growing strength at AFGE and improving relations with the agency.
“The new agreement puts us on the road to full Title Five rights, better retention at the TSA, and will greatly increase the quality of life for the TSOs that we represent,” said President of AFGE Council 100 Hydrick Thomas. “It’s been a long journey since the beginning of our union, when we barely had any say in what happened at our workplace. This agreement is a testament to the power of union membership.”
Thomas also cites the improved relationship with both the Transportation Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for the significant gains in the contract.
“I want to thank Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas and TSA Administrator David Pekoske for their support for America’s TSOs. I also want to thank Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, who has been a tireless advocate for our cause,” said Thomas. “While management and AFGE Council 100 may not always agree on everything, their willingness to negotiate in good faith with our union is proof that we’re on the same page about the most important issue for both TSOs and management: protecting the millions of people who fly every year.”
Now that the current agreement has been ratified by AFGE Council 100, the agreement will be reviewed by agency heads and will take effect after their approval.
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