Thompson and Schatz Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve TSA’s Frontline Workforce
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to ensure that all 60,000+ Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees – including frontline Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) – are afforded the same worker rights and protections afforded to other Federal workers under Title 5 of the U.S. Code.
The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act of 2024 (H.R. 8370) will provide TSOs full Federal employee collective bargaining rights, access to an independent third party for dispute resolution, and compensation under the General Services wage system. Previously, similar legislation passed the House in both the 116th and 117th Congresses.
“Although TSA’s workforce of over 60,000 employees work around the clock to keep our skies safe, current law does not provide them workforce rights guaranteed to almost all other Federal employees,” said Congressman Thompson. “Their pay, protections, and benefits under statute should reflect the importance of their national security mission. Putting this critical workforce under Title 5 will not only guarantee its workers better pay and full collective bargaining rights, but will also reduce attrition, boost morale, and professionalize the entire workforce. While I appreciate the ongoing work the Biden Administration has advanced to greatly boost the pay of TSA’s workforce and expand workforce rights, there is still more to be done and Congress must act to make these changes permanent.”
“Every day, TSA employees work to keep our country safe. Yet, they currently lack the same benefits and protections as most other federal employees. Our bill would end this unfair system and grant them the rights and benefits they fully deserve,” added Senator Schatz.
The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act is co-sponsored in the House by: Reps. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Lou Correa (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Mike Bost (R-IL), Marc Molinaro (R-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE).
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Press Contact
Adam Comis (Thompson): 202-225-9978
Mike Inacay (Schatz): 202-224-3123
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