US Transportation Security Administration head John Pistole on Friday issued a decision he said "provides a framework" to allow TSA's more than 60,000 airport screeners to unionize "for the purposes of engaging in limited, clearly defined collective bargaining at the national level only on non-security employment issues." Congressional Republicans strongly vowed to block screener unionization.
"The safety of the traveling public is our top priority and we will not negotiate on security," Pistole said in a statement. "But morale and employee engagement cannot be separated from achieving superior security. If security officers vote to move forward with collective bargaining, this framework will ensure that TSA retains the capability and flexibility necessary to respond to evolving threats, and continue improving employee engagement, performance and professional development."
He added that TSA's "determination" issued Friday "prohibits bargaining on any topics that might affect security, such as: Security policies, procedures or the deployment of security personnel or equipment; pay, pensions and any form of compensation; proficiency testing; job qualifications and discipline standards." In addition, it "strictly prohibits officers from striking or engaging and in work slowdowns of any kind," TSA stated.
House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) said in a statement that unionization would turn over "airport screening to the [Obama] Administration's union cronies … With the airport screening force mushrooming from 16,500 in 2001 to now nearly 63,000, this will be President Obama's biggest gift to organized labor." He added, "Conceding collective bargaining rights and the ability to negotiate over workplace issues could further jeopardize the nation's transportation and passenger security system."
Airports Council International-North American said TSA has assured it that Friday's "decision will not adversely impact aviation security or efficiency. We agree that the safety and security of the traveling public has to be TSA's top priority."