Since the creation of the Transportation Security Administration in 2001, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have been denied the right to bargain collectively. Despite their role as front-line defenders of air passenger security, TSOs have endured substandard working conditions, hostile management policies, and ongoing workers compensation and discrimination complaints without the protection of a union contract. Now, after eight long years of having their rights denied, the Obama administration has signaled its commitment to finally grant the right to organize and bargain collectively to TSOs.

With action by the Obama Administration expected in the very near future and a representation election soon to follow, the AFL-CIO has joined hands with The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) in a historic campaign in support of 41,000 TSOs organizing at 450 airports across the nation, including at Logan International Airport in Boston. Despite the fact that these workers have had their barganing rights unfairly denied, their desire for union membership is evident in the fact that over 11,000 TSOs nationwide and hundreds in Boston have already decided to join AFGE. TSOs at Logan Airport are organizing with AFGE Local 2617 and the union has been representing TSOs on workplace issues that do not pertain to collective bargaining. 

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO and AFGE Local 2617 request supporters to assist the campaign in the following ways:

• Invite AFGE representatives and TSOs to speak at your membership and/or board meetings between now and the election.

• If you are planning air travel in the future, show your support for TSO organizing by putting an AFGE bag tag on your luggage, wearing an AFGE sticker through the airport, or leaving a flyer in the gray security bins as you pass through security. Please encourage friends, family and fellow union members to do so as well. Flyers may be downloaded from the top right corner of this page. For stickers, buttons or bag tags, contact John Drinkwater at (781) 324-8230 or jdrinkwater@massaflcio.org.

To view pictures of the Solidarity Rally for TSOs on Friday, January 8th at 10:00 AM in the Massport Media Room of Logan International Airport in Boston click here.

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO will also provide AFGE contacts in your area who can attend meetings and other events. Please contact John Drinkwater at jdrinkwater@massaflcio.org for more information.

For more information on AFGE's TSO organizing campaign, visit http://tsa.afge.org/ or http://www.afgelocal2617.org/

 
Read More:

First Line Defenders as Second Class Citizens: Collective Bargaining Rights for TSA Employees and National Security Make Good Bedfellows

Bargaining Rights for Airport Screeners Would Help Security

Senator Blocks TSA Confirmation Over Union Issue

TSA Union: Agency Pay Ratings continue to be Cause for Concern

TSA Union Urges Senate Homeland Security to Report out Southers for TSA

AFL-CIO Publicly Backs AFGE as the Union for TSA Workers

Labor Secretary Solis Meets with AFGE TSA Members

AFGE TSOs Recognized as House Oversight Committee Passes TSA Bargaining Rights Bill

Labor Looks to Extend Clout After Win in Aviation Arena

Summary of Congressional Budget Analysis Confirming AFGE’s Charge that TSOs are underpaid