Labor & Employment Law

Senate Rejects Move to Bar TSA Workers from Bargaining Rights

By Tula Connell

Good news from the Senate: Today Senators voted 51-47 to reject a measure that would have prohibited tranportation security officers (TSOs) from gaining collective bargaining rights.

The measure was introduced by Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Tom Coburn, R-Okla., as an amendment to the 2011 FAA authorization bill after TSA Administrator John Pistole affirmed the TSOs? rights to bargain earlier this month.

AFGE President John Gage praised the Senate for recognizing the value of collective bargaining.

AFGE thanks the members of the Senate who said ?no? to this this irresponsible amendment. Workplace rights improve employee morale, which will improve security, not undermine it. In fact, collective bargaining brings with it improved security for passengers. A bargaining agreement would lead to better working conditions, fair promotion and evaluation practices and safer workplaces, and in doing so, increasing morale.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who voted against denying TSOs the freedom to bargain, pointed out that ?most federal security employees, including Border Patrol agents, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, Capitol Police officers, and Federal Protective Service officers, have collective bargaining rights. First responders on 9/11, who not only risked their lives but gave their lives, were union members.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on February 15, 2011 (boomark / email).