Thompson and Schatz Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect and Improve TSA’s Frontline Workforce as Trump Tries to Take Away Protections
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(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) reintroduced bicameral legislation with Republican support to ensure that all 65,000+ Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees – including frontline Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) – are afforded the same worker rights, protections, and pay system afforded to other Federal workers under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This legislation is introduced as the Trump Administration just last week moved to cancel TSA’s current collective bargaining agreement. The Rights for the TSA Workforce Act (H.R. 2086) 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. “TSA’s Federal workforce helps keep our aviation system secure from terrorism every day. Their pay, workforce protections, and benefits should reflect the importance of their national security work,” said Congressman Thompson. “But under current law, they are not provided the workforce rights guaranteed to almost all other Federal employees – and, in fact, the Trump Administration is currently trying to take away the few protections they have. Putting this critical workforce under Title 5 will guarantee fair pay and full collective bargaining rights, reduce attrition, and stop the Trump Administration’s political antics. I hope the courts will act to restore TSA’s existing collective bargaining agreement, which both parties entered into under full legal authority – but in the meantime, Congress should pass this bill to provide permanence to these workers’ rights. I am glad we have bipartisan support for this bill, and I hope Congress acts to support this frontline workforce that keeps us all safe when we return to our districts.” “Anyone who’s been to an airport knows that TSA officers play a critical role in keeping millions of people safe every single day. They deserve the same worker rights and protections as any other federal employee. Instead, this administration is undermining their rights, which will mean fewer officers, longer airport screening lines, and a greater threat to public safety and national security,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill would end this unfair system and grant them the rights and benefits they have earned”. The Rights for the TSA Workforce Act is co-sponsored in the House by: Reps. Gerry Connolly (D-MD), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ). American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President Everett Kelley said the following endorsing the bill: “The Transportation Security Administration is in crisis. DHS’s reckless decision to rescind TSA workers' collective bargaining agreement is blatant union-busting. If allowed to stand, it will silence 47,000 frontline officers who protect millions daily, clearing a path for Project 2025’s dangerous privatization scheme, prioritizing profits over national security and reviving the failed, profit-driven model from before the terrorist attacks of September 11. The Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, introduced by Representative Bennie Thompson and Senator Brian Schatz, is essential to restoring dignity, protecting workers’ rights, and ensuring aviation security isn’t outsourced to the lowest bidder. Congress must pass this bill immediately.” # # # |
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