Rising Doubt of TSA’s Capabilities Spread as Holiday Season Approaches

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President, Dr. Everett Kelley, testified alongside union leaders and association representatives before the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation & Maritime Security that the upcoming November 22 vaccine mandate deadline for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers would harm morale and distract workers during their busiest period. 

Per the federal employee vaccine mandate, TSA employees must prove they are fully vaccinated or apply for a religious or medical exemption before the November 22, 2021, deadline. Several federal workforce organizations have, however, urged the Biden Administration to extend the deadline for federal employees to align it with the deadline for federal contractors – initially requesting an extension until January 4, and subsequently January 18 when the federal contractor deadline was extended a second time. 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and corresponding decline in air travel, the TSA is already short staffed. The agency said earlier this year it would work to restore and grow its workforce to cope with the influx of travelers but remains approximately 4,000 employees down. The TSA has not fulfilled its hiring promises, Kelley added, noting that many of those hired are still in training and not yet in the field.[NC1] 

“These essential workers are not only facing attacks from unruly passengers, but the daily risk of being infected by the COVID-19 virus while performing their duties. Yet, longstanding issues like the lack of fair pay continue to plague the agency’s workforce with travel volume steadily rising,” stated Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) during the hearing, “If TSA cannot hire and retain the highly skilled, dedicated workforce it needs, it will struggle to keep up with increasing passenger volume and, ultimately, place our transportation systems at risk.”

As previously reported in FEDagent, unvaccinated employees are subject to progressive disciplinary actions, in most agencies starting with counseling before being suspended and ultimately terminated if the employee fails to comply with the mandate. Organizations like AFGE has proposed extending the deadline to ensure that no existing employees are suspended or terminated when their agencies need them most, such as TSA during peak travel season. 

TSA Administrator David Pekoske last provided an update on vaccination rates in mid-October reporting 60 percent of the TSA workforce reported they were vaccinated. TSA spokesman Max Weitzner declined to provide an update on the agency's vaccination rate, saying only that "good progress" was being made and that data was still being collected.

Kelley reiterated AFGE concerns with differing deadlines for federal employees and contractors, which have caused confusion and distress among employees who often work together. He hopes an extension will give federal employees more time to consider their options.

Government Executive reports the White House will not delay the process as Assistant Press Secretary Kevin Munoz attempted to dispel any rumors that the deadline would be accompanied by widespread firings and other disciplinary measures that disrupted agency operations.