SIAP: Trump administration unilaterally terminates TSA union contract...

[The Tradition]

National Press Release
Friday, March 7, 2025

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is ending collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which has constrained TSA’s chief mission: to safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe.

Eliminating collective bargaining removes bureaucratic hurdles that will strengthen workforce agility enhance productivity and resiliency, while also jumpstarting innovation.

Making America’s Transportation Networks Resilient Again

Gaps in benefit programs, including non-verifiable Family and Medical Leave, are being exploited by a select few poor performers, placing greater burden on TSOs at the expense of American travelers and taxpayers.

This includes instances, where a TSO requested sick leave seven months in advance.

TSA has more people doing full-time union work than we have performing screening functions at 86% of our airports. Of the 432 federalized airports, 374 airports have fewer than 200 TSA Officers to preform screening functions.

Nearly 200 TSA Officers are paid by the government but work full-time on union matters. These people do not retain certification to perform screening functions. Additionally, in a recent TSA employee survey, over 60% said poor performers are allowed to stay employed and, not surprisingly, continue to not perform.

Fighting for TSA Workers

The Transportation Security officers are losing their hard-earned dollars to a union that did not represent or protect their interests. The union has hindered merit-based performance recognition and advancement—that's not the American way.

By eliminating the collective bargaining agreement, Transportation Security Officers will now have opportunities based on their performance, not longevity or union membership.

A statement from a DHS Spokesperson is below:

“Thanks to Secretary Noem’s action, Transportation Security Officers will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to a union that does not represent them. The Trump Administration is committed returning to merit-based hiring and firing policies.

“This action will ensure Americans will have a more effective and modernized workforces across the nation’s transportation networks. TSA is renewing its commitment to providing a quick and secure travel process for Americans.”

DHS Ends Collective Bargaining for TSA’s Transportation Security Officers, Enhancing Safety, Efficiency, and Organizational Agility | Transportation Security Administration

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is ending collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which has constrained TSA’s chief mission: to safeguard our transportation systems and keep...

www.tsa.gov

 

[jberesford]

TSA is such an inconvenient and costly operation that lacks any common sense. They fail audits all the time for missing actual dangerous items. Think about that when you see kids or old ladies getting the extra pat down and bomb swabs.

Pilots have known crew member security to expedite the process but still get randomly selected for general security. They sit at the controls of the plane FFS.

I'm sure because everything on this forum is completely political this will devolve into some type or R vs D thing so I'm going to stop here and just give you a link to a Patrick Smith interview. He's a career airline pilot and one of the better known aviation authors out there.

He's been preaching the absurdity of TSA for years from a pilot perspective, and pointing out that 9/11 only occurred due to the nouveau nature of the hijacking in that they weaponized the aircraft itself for the first time, and that modern security would not have prevented it. There is never going to be an incident again where a group of passengers is going to sit back and allow a small group to take control of a commercial aircraft with makeshift arms.

A good Q&A in general, but my key point is his response to the TSA chief for a day question. Granted this is older and somewhat dated now, but you get the idea.

Talking Air Travel Safety with Patrick Smith

Our blogger sits down with pilot and columnist Patrick Smith to talk about everything from absurd safety rules and tarmac delays to what he would change as TSA chief.

www.smartertravel.com

 

[torbee]

How can that possibly be legal?

Isn’t an already negotiated contract legally binding?

 

[lonestar50]

How can that possibly be legal?

Isn’t an already negotiated contract legally binding?

Everything this administration does is legal. Just ask them, they'll tell you.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

How can that possibly be legal?

Isn’t an already negotiated contract legally binding?

I wondered the same thing.

If that is possible, then what good was the agreement in the first place?

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

TSA is such an inconvenient and costly operation that lacks any common sense. They fail audits all the time for missing actual dangerous items. Think about that when you see kids or old ladies getting the extra pat down and bomb swabs.

Pilots have known crew member security to expedite the process but still get randomly selected for general security. They sit at the controls of the plane FFS.

I'm sure because everything on this forum is completely political this will devolve into some type or R vs D thing so I'm going to stop here and just give you a link to a Patrick Smith interview. He's a career airline pilot and one of the better known aviation authors out there.

He's been preaching the absurdity of TSA for years from a pilot perspective, and pointing out that 9/11 only occurred due to the nouveau nature of the hijacking in that they weaponized the aircraft itself for the first time, and that modern security would not have prevented it. There is never going to be an incident again where a group of passengers is going to sit back and allow a small group to take control of a commercial aircraft with makeshift arms.

A good Q&A in general, but my key point is his response to the TSA chief for a day question. Granted this is older and somewhat dated now, but you get the idea.

Talking Air Travel Safety with Patrick Smith

Our blogger sits down with pilot and columnist Patrick Smith to talk about everything from absurd safety rules and tarmac delays to what he would change as TSA chief.

www.smartertravel.com

What about explosives?

 

[franklinman]

National Press Release
Friday, March 7, 2025

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is ending collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Transportation Security Officers, which has constrained TSA’s chief mission: to safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe.

Eliminating collective bargaining removes bureaucratic hurdles that will strengthen workforce agility enhance productivity and resiliency, while also jumpstarting innovation.

Making America’s Transportation Networks Resilient Again

Gaps in benefit programs, including non-verifiable Family and Medical Leave, are being exploited by a select few poor performers, placing greater burden on TSOs at the expense of American travelers and taxpayers.

This includes instances, where a TSO requested sick leave seven months in advance.

TSA has more people doing full-time union work than we have performing screening functions at 86% of our airports. Of the 432 federalized airports, 374 airports have fewer than 200 TSA Officers to preform screening functions.

Nearly 200 TSA Officers are paid by the government but work full-time on union matters. These people do not retain certification to perform screening functions. Additionally, in a recent TSA employee survey, over 60% said poor performers are allowed to stay employed and, not surprisingly, continue to not perform.

Fighting for TSA Workers

The Transportation Security officers are losing their hard-earned dollars to a union that did not represent or protect their interests. The union has hindered merit-based performance recognition and advancement—that's not the American way.

By eliminating the collective bargaining agreement, Transportation Security Officers will now have opportunities based on their performance, not longevity or union membership.

A statement from a DHS Spokesperson is below:

“Thanks to Secretary Noem’s action, Transportation Security Officers will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to a union that does not represent them. The Trump Administration is committed returning to merit-based hiring and firing policies.

“This action will ensure Americans will have a more effective and modernized workforces across the nation’s transportation networks. TSA is renewing its commitment to providing a quick and secure travel process for Americans.”

https://www.tsa.gov really/news/pre...e-bargaining-for-tsas-transportation-security

Back to the courts again along with the other 10000000000. CORRUPT Filthy is showing the country how FUC'N stupid he really is.

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

What about explosives?

Yes, a lot of the TSA stuff came from the shoe bomber. That’s when they started scanning shoes. Pretty sure that’s why the 3oz liquid thing exists too.

 

[Huey Grey]

TSA is garbage. There's no evidence they've prevented any terror attacks. That said, I don't see how the president can rip up a legally binding contract he has no part of. The rapist proves once again he will leverage the government to rule over every facet of our lives he can get his hands on.

 

[Jerome Silberman]

TSA is such an inconvenient and costly operation that lacks any common sense. They fail audits all the time for missing actual dangerous items. Think about that when you see kids or old ladies getting the extra pat down and bomb swabs.

Pilots have known crew member security to expedite the process but still get randomly selected for general security. They sit at the controls of the plane FFS.

I'm sure because everything on this forum is completely political this will devolve into some type or R vs D thing so I'm going to stop here and just give you a link to a Patrick Smith interview. He's a career airline pilot and one of the better known aviation authors out there.

He's been preaching the absurdity of TSA for years from a pilot perspective, and pointing out that 9/11 only occurred due to the nouveau nature of the hijacking in that they weaponized the aircraft itself for the first time, and that modern security would not have prevented it. There is never going to be an incident again where a group of passengers is going to sit back and allow a small group to take control of a commercial aircraft with makeshift arms.

A good Q&A in general, but my key point is his response to the TSA chief for a day question. Granted this is older and somewhat dated now, but you get the idea.

Talking Air Travel Safety with Patrick Smith

Our blogger sits down with pilot and columnist Patrick Smith to talk about everything from absurd safety rules and tarmac delays to what he would change as TSA chief.

www.smartertravel.com

That seems like really good information to consider during contract negotiations.

 

[hawkeyetraveler]

I’ve traveled twice in the last few weeks for hiking. Both times I made a mistake that was not caught by the TSA.

First, I carried my Swiss Army knife in my carryon vs checked bag. Blade is probably 2-3 inches long - definitely should have been caught and wasn’t.

Second I accidentally checked my bag with my Garmin satellite communicator in it - lithium batteries should be in the carryon. When I realized it I figured for sure it would be gone or my bag would be stopped. But nope, they missed that too.

So for me they are batting 0-2 on their own rules in the recent past.

 

[bhawk24bob]

I’m starting to think the American Bar Association has a strong lobbying arm

 

[franklinman]

How can that possibly be legal?

Isn’t an already negotiated contract legally binding?

YES, But for how many years.

 

[stickman80]

How can that possibly be legal?

Isn’t an already negotiated contract legally binding?

Most of these changes these Twats are proposing arent legal (even pulling the US from NATO) but since Trump is an expert at the art of delay it will be up to the clogged courts to reverse what he does.

Mixed emotions on this one. I want everyone flying and on the ground to be safe and poor performance being shielded by a union doesn't protect the public. That said there are plenty of shit non union employers who fail to reward good performers and instead treat all the employees the same which often leads to senority employees too often making the highest wages based on senority while being the poorest performers.

 

[stickman80]

I’ve traveled twice in the last few weeks for hiking. Both times I made a mistake that was not caught by the TSA.

First, I carried my Swiss Army knife in my carryon vs checked bag. Blade is probably 2-3 inches long - definitely should have been caught and wasn’t.

Second I accidentally checked my bag with my Garmin satellite communicator in it - lithium batteries should be in the carryon. When I realized it I figured for sure it would be gone or my bag would be stopped. But nope, they missed that too.

So for me they are batting 0-2 on their own rules in the recent past.

Ive experienced the opposite in the last 2 weeks. Twice (at different airports) Ive pulled my belt buckle and tossed it in the bin, leaving the belt with zero metal in it in the loops of my trousers in order to speedup the post scan process. Both times they made me pull my belt.

 

[Huey Grey]

Most of these changes these Twats are proposing arent legal (even pulling the US from NATO) but since Trump is an expert at the art of delay it will be up to the clogged courts to reverse what he does.

Mixed emotions on this one. I want everyone flying and on the ground to be safe and poor performance being shielded by a union doesn't protect the public. That said there are plenty of shit non union employers who fail to reward good performers and instead treat all the employees the same which often leads to senority employees too often making the highest wages based on senority while being the poorest performers.

Thing is if you take away contracts wages get driven down, you get less experienced people, you get less desirable candidates, and you've essentially turned the TSA into a McDonalds franchise of low paid workers who don't stay at their jobs.

 

[The Tradition]

Thing is if you take away contracts wages get driven down, you get less experienced people, you get less desirable candidates, and you've essentially turned the TSA into a McDonalds franchise of low paid workers who don't stay at their jobs.

Good grief. Wages aren't going to be driven down. Get a grip, Huey.

 

[stickman80]

Thing is if you take away contracts wages get driven down, you get less experienced people, you get less desirable candidates, and you've essentially turned the TSA into a McDonalds franchise of low paid workers who don't stay at their jobs.

Thats why the key is to reward the good performance with higher pay and toss (or give no raises) to the poor performers.

The pay scale can be higher and the quality of work better.

 

[stillh8unlv]

I wondered the same thing.

If that is possible, then what good was the agreement in the first place?

Something, something, save country, something something, no laws broken, something, something

 

[franklinman]

Over 100 guns, loaded have been caught going in just the PITTTBURGH airport in a year, 2023-24, $10,000 fine and you lose the weapon. The second year in a row.

 

[goldmom]

Good grief. Wages aren't going to be driven down. Get a grip, Huey.

I think Huey is experienced in gripping just one thing…NTTAWWT

 

[Kelsers]

Good grief. Wages aren't going to be driven down. Get a grip, Huey.

Haven't you claimed unions have inflated wages?

 

[FlickShagwell]

Everything this administration does is legal. Just ask them, they'll tell you.

Most legalist administration ever.

 

[The Tradition]

Haven't you claimed unions have inflated wages?

No, unions claim that. Not me.

 

[jonesy5960]

Haven't you claimed unions have inflated wages?

It depends on how you look at it. Unions have had a resurgence in some states over the last decade or so but they still lack the breadth and clout they once had. My experience has been that state minimum wage laws and competitive wage pressures have had far and away the greatest impact on wages at the lower end of the scale over the past decade. They raise the bar not only for those at the lowest end but also 1 or 2 rungs above it due to wage compression issues that arise as a result.

 

[The Tradition]

The biggest problem with unions is what the DHS announcement laid out. It's impossible to fire anyone and any wage differences can only be based on seniority and not merit.

 

[mnole03]

So if pay isn’t guaranteed by seniority and you know that the administration has lied about job performance for other government workers to cut costs, why would you stay?

Why would you trust them to do the right thing with the TSA?

 

[The Tradition]

So if pay isn’t guaranteed by seniority and you know that the administration has lied about job performance for other government workers to cut costs, why would you stay?

You have the authority to pull hot women out of the line and pat them down....

 

[stickman80]

You have the authority to pull hot women out of the line and pat them down....

You think too small.....cavity searches.

Great perk!!!