TSA, AFGE Embark on History-Making Contract
A historic union contract for workers at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
They signed a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).
It’s the first union contract signed since TSA was granted expanded collective bargaining rights in 2021. And it’s the first major contract since many TSA employees received significant raises last summer to bring them in line with General Schedule employees. Some employees received raises as much as 31 percent.
The new CBA covers about 42,000 transportation security officers (TSOs).
At a signing ceremony at JFK Airport in New York City, AFGE President Everett Kelley thanked TSA Administrator David Pekoske for his support.
“This contract also represents the good that can come when management and labor work together. The power of ‘we,’” said President Kelley.
It's a point that was echoed by Administrator Pekoske, who is calling for an even deeper relationship.
“We should continue to redouble our efforts. This collective bargaining agreement is historic. It’s a milestone. We can use that as a pivot point to an even greater relationship. We have the same idea, the same goal,” said Administrator Pekoske.
Contract Details
The new agreement expands the number of articles in the contract to 37 from 14.
Some of the new rights include:
enhanced shift trades for TSOs who need to take unscheduled leave;
increased allowance for uniforms;
continuation of full parking subsidies;
a national Childcare Working Group to explore potential options to make childcare more affordable; and
the addition of parental bereavement leave and weather and safety leave to the CBA.
Both TSA and union leaders said the work that’s being done, including the raises, have helped TSA with recruitment and retention.
Administrator Pekoske said TSA currently has the lowest attrition rate in its history, dropping from 20 percent at the start of raise implementation to 11 percent in April 2024.
Congressional Action
One issue: a future administration could revoke many of the rights provided to TSA workers, as the agency currently does not have Title 5 protection.
In response, Congress is hoping to codify protections into law.
The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act (H.R. 8370) was introduced in both chambers. It would apply Title 5 rights to the TSA workforce.