WASHINGTON – Following the recent tragedy at the Los Angeles International Airport, where one Transportation Security Officer was killed and two others were injured, American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. issued the following statement:
“AFGE is committed to ensuring that a tragedy like this never happens again. But the sad truth is that our TSA officers are subject to daily verbal assaults and far too frequent physical attacks while performing their security duties.
“We want to make sure we are doing everything possible to secure screening areas at our nation’s airports. At this time, we feel a larger and more consistent armed presence in screening areas would be a positive step in improving security for both TSOs and the flying public. The development of a new class of TSA officers with law enforcement status would be a logical approach to accomplishing this goal.
“We pledge to work with TSA and Congress to explore all proposals to make our airports safer.”
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