CWA: Bargaining Rights Now for Nation's Airport Security Officers

CWAers rallied with hundreds of union activists this week to support full collective bargaining rights for the nation's 40,000 airport security officers.

At a rally at the AFL-CIO, activists called on the Obama administration to carry out its pledge to grant the workers, employees of the Transportation Security Administration, bargaining rights like other federal workers have.

The American Federation of Government Employees, which is working with the transportation security officers, or TSOs, to gain bargaining rights, filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Authority calling for a union election. AFGE already represents 13,000 TSOs.  

At the rally, AFGE President John Gage called on the Obama administration and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to move forward now.

CWA President Larry Cohen said the workers' struggle for collective bargaining rights should be supported by everyone who wants a union, or belongs to a union.

"Every one of us carries the message proudly that this is the time for all workers in this country to have full collective bargaining rights," said Cohen. "This is also a message to every employer that this labor movement is back," he said. "We're fighting back, and we're going to win." Because of low pay, poor morale, and often unsafe working conditions, airport screeners have among the highest turnover rates of any job in the federal government.

AFA-CWA President Patricia Friend dismissed claims that TSA workers should not have bargaining rights because it would threaten national security.

"In the airport cabin, flight attendants are the last line of defense to keep airline passengers safe," said Friend. "As airport screeners, you are the first line of defense and deserve to have the same rights to improve your working conditions."

Photo Caption: CWAers join hundreds of union members in Washington, D.C. at a rally to support bargaining rights for the nation's 40,000 airport security officers at the Transportation Security Administration. Kim Kraynak, one of the first TSA union activists, thanks labor for its support. Left, are CWA President Larry Cohen and AFA-CWA President Patricia Friend.