4.03.25 – APFA Stands With TSA Workers

APFA Stands with TSA Workers

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Last month, the Administration issued an executive order canceling the collective bargaining agreement of 47,000 Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). APFA stands with our Union Siblings at AFGE in the fight to protect our contracts and the dignity of the work we do. This action was not about efficiency, safety, or homeland security – it was an outright attack on Unions.

APFA supports the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act.

The bicameral bill, reintroduced by Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) after the executive order, would ensure that nearly 65,000 TSA employees – including 47,000 frontline TSOs – are afforded the same worker rights, protections, and pay system offered to other Federal workers under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. The bill would provide TSOs with full Federal employee collective bargaining rights and access to an independent third party for dispute resolution.

In 2011, TSA allowed TSOs to elect a Union and collectively bargain over a limited set of issues. In 2021, the previous Administration announced a plan to provide pay, collective bargaining rights, and third-party disciplinary appeal rights mirroring those provided under Title 5 to TSA employees through administrative action. In 2023, Congress fully funded pay raises, expanded collective bargaining, and third-party appeal rights. These improvements for the TSA workforce had a dramatic effect on the agency’s ability to recruit and retain employees.

As of today, the House bill has 82 co-sponsors (75 Democrats, 7 Republicans) and Senate bill has 28 co-sponsors (26 Democrats, 2 Independents). The APFA Government Affairs Department continues to meet with lawmakers to increase this list of supporters.

APFA opposes the Abolish the TSA Act.

This Senate bill, led by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), would dismantle TSA and replace it with a patchwork of private security companies with limited government oversight, removing clear lines of accountability and decentralizing reporting and efficient communication. As of today, this bill has 2 Republican co-sponsors.

The very creation of TSA in 2001 was to prevent another tragedy similar to 9/11 — and for nearly a quarter century, it has. This proposal jeopardizes the safety of countless Americans and the domestic security of this country. APFA disapproves of any effort to privatize critical government functions, but especially those involving national security and aviation safety. For this reason, we categorically reject the Abolish the TSA Act and other efforts to convert aviation security into a for-profit system.

We are grateful for the 47,000 TSOs who work hard to keep us safe every day on every flight. These dedicated employees should be supported and empowered to do their jobs to their fullest abilities, not denigrated and attacked by members of Congress and the Administration. APFA will continue to fight for passenger safety and workers’ rights, and we will continue to call out measures that will put our members and the flying public at risk.

In Solidarity,

Julie Hedrick
APFA National President
[email protected]

Allie Malis
Lori Vitto-Glattly
APFA Government Affairs Representatives
[email protected]