TSA Employees Tout Benefits After Ratifying New Union Contract
Employees at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ratified a new union contract with the American Federal of Government Employees (AFGE).
The seven-year collective bargaining agreement is the first contract since TSA employees received a significant raise and saw their employee rights expanded.
“The new agreement puts us on the road to full Title 5 rights, better retention at TSA and will greatly increase the quality of life for the TSOs (transportation security officers) that we represent,” said AFGE Council 100 President Hydrick Thomas in a statement.
The new contract features several changes meant to improve collective bargaining and employee morale.
“AFGE has more than doubled the number of articles that could be bargained with TSA. But it’s more than just numbers – the substance is there, too,” said AFGE legal rights attorney Chris Blessing, who took part in the negotiations.
Polos in the Summer
On the working conditions front, the contract expands shift-trading from 20 percent of an employee’s work hours to 40 percent. It allows TSOs to work double shifts.
Sick leave restrictions are reduced to three months from four months. Absences supported by medical documentation will no longer be considered as indicators of sick leave abuse.
In addition, TSA employees can wear polo shirts and shorts on summer days that are warmer than 70 degrees, and receive a $966 uniform allowance per employee, per year.
Collective Bargaining
The contract will allow the union to select representatives for agency-employee committees.
It also expands official time and allows for bargaining to take place on the local level, an important feature with the TSA workforce spread out across the nation.
It streamlines the grievance and arbitration process. TSA employees will be able to file a grievance with TSA management for more types of adverse actions.
“It helps enhance the employee’s ability for the job protection because it becomes a fairer process, whereas it was so one-sided in the past. Now, it’s going to open up that ability for employees to check the balance of management’s powers,” said AFGE Council 100 Secretary-Treasurer Johnny Jones.
Unfinished Business
While Jones said the contract represents about 80 percent of what the union wants, negotiations over overtime pay and childcare subsidies are heading into arbitration. AFGE is also continuing the push for TSA to be moved into Title 5.
The contract now heads to agency leaders for a final review and sign-off. Jones is optimistic.
“Our relationship [with management] is as good as it’s ever been in my career, and I joined the agency in 2002,” said Jones.