Facing the prospect of a wave of privatization of airport
screening operations, and following recent reports
critical of Transportation Security Administration
management, the American Federation of Government
Employees has called on Congress to pass legislation
aimed at safeguarding federal airport screener jobs and
guaranteeing a number of employee benefits.
AFGE President John Gage called criticism of federal
screeners unfair and unjust, and said the Safe Aviation
by Empowering Federal Employees Act is not merely an
attempt “to help people keep their jobs.”
“Public employees who know how to do their jobs and who
are empowered to do them through enlightened management
and collective bargaining are the key to keeping
hijackers and bombs off of airplanes,” said Gage.
Airports have been authorized to opt out of the federal
system and so far two have chosen to do so.
The proposal, according to a report released by the
union would prevent airports from opting out of the
federal program, improve training and testing, lift
staffing caps, settle pay disputes with screeners,
require the use of “the best available equipment,”
guarantee collective bargaining rights, full whistleblower
protections, and veteran’s preference, convert screeners
to competitive service appointments, and ensure due process.
