The American Federation of Government Employees has announced that arbitrators decided that impasse procedures would be final in the event that the union and TSA reach an impasse in labor negotiations.
"We are very pleased with this decision because it means the process most definitely will result in a collective bargaining agreement for the TSOs," said AFGE president John Gage.
TSA has argued that a ruling brought by an arbitration impasse panel would not be final, something AFGE says could have resulted in “an endless loop that could prevent the TSOs from ever obtaining a contract."
The arbitrators also concluded that TSA must negotiate over the ratification/referendum process for the negotiations, according to the union.
AFGE won an election a year ago over the National Treasury Employees Union for the right to represent more than 40,000 screeners and associated employees in a national bargaining unit, but only limited progress has been made toward getting a contract in place.
