Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-639-6405/202-374-6491
[email protected]
WASHINGTON – Today, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), AFL-CIO, the only union representing Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act (H.R. 903), which grants TSOs equal workplace rights under Title 5 and boosts pay by putting them on the General Schedule pay scale.
In 2001, the law that created the TSA gave the agency broad authority to develop its own workplace policies independent of the rest of government, including determining employee pay. Twenty years later, this has resulted in low employee morale and high turnover rates as TSA officers are among the lowest paid and worst treated workers in the federal government.
AFGE National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement in response to the passage of H.R. 903:
“For two decades our union has fought tirelessly to secure much-needed workplace rights for the hardworking women and men who keep the flying public safe.
“TSA officers have been treated as second-class citizens for far too long. Despite the unfair pay and treatment, they continue show up for their country each and every day. They have worked for no pay during government shutdowns and put their health at risk throughout the pandemic to ensure the traveling public is safe.
“The passage of H.R. 903 brings us another step closer to achieving fair pay and equal rights for these essential, front-line workers. AFGE thanks Chairman Bennie Thompson for his unwavering support of TSA officers. We urge the Senate to pass the same legislation so that TSOs can receive the pay and workplace rights they desperately deserve.”
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