Representing Transportation Security Officers

As the only union to represent and stand behind Transportation Security Officers since the beginning, AFGE is at the forefront of the struggle to secure rights and improve working conditions at TSA. AFGE has taken on TSA in the courts, and before the International Labor Organization, Federal Labor Relations Authority and TSA Disciplinary Review Board over issues including collective bargaining rights, fair personnel systems, merit-based pay and promotion policies, and regular and reasonable work schedules.

AFGE Is Here For Your Protection
If you are a TSO who has a worker's comp injury, has been a victim of discrimination, or has been retaliated against, AFGE can help.
Call 1-866-392-6832 for more information.

AFGE Victorious in Case of Wrongfully Demoted TSA Worker
AFGE recently won a TSO her job back after she wrongfully was demoted following an unintentional mistake. The Dallas/Forth Worth TSO was restored to her position as a Lead after being demoted to TSO because TSA management failed to follow the doctrine of progressive discipline in determining the appropriate discipline in her case. The TSA Disciplinary Review Board on March 13 found that the employee made an unintentional mistake and that she acted quickly to correct it, thereby minimizing operational impact. The board agreed with AFGE that such mistakes can and do occur, and decided that in this case, a demotion was excessive punishment.

The LTSO's pay grade and pay rate have since been restored and she has received back pay for any loss of pay that resulted from the demotion action.

Atlanta TSO Back to Work With AFGE's Help
AFGE also recently helped a wrongfully-terminated TSO in Atlanta get his job back. The TSO did not pass a Standard Operating Procedures test and was placed on a performance improvement plan in which weekly meetings with his supervisor and basic screener training were required. The supervisor never met with him on a weekly basis and he was never given the opportunity to attend the training. He did not pass his second test and was removed. AFGE filed an appeal with the Disciplinary Review Board, arguing that TSA did not follow its own policy when the TSO was placed under the performance improvement plan. The board ruled in favor of the TSO.

EEOC finds TSA Guilty of Religious Discrimination in AFGE Case
After AFGE took his case to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an administrative judge in September ruled that TSA unlawfully discriminated against a security screener based on his religion. The judge found that by refuting the complainants request for Sundays off, the agency had discriminated against the TSO on the basis of his religion and therefore was liable for back pay with interest, as well as any pay raises and/or benefits that would have been earned during this time. TSA also was ordered to reinstate the complainant to his position or provide one substantially similar, and offer religious accommodations.

Four TSOs at San Jose Back to Work, Thanks to AFGE Efforts
AFGE scored a victory for four TSOs at San Jose Mineta International Airport in San Jose, Calif. Each of the four TSOs was suspended from 3-10 days for a series of events stemming from an incident in February 2007. AFGE argued that the screeners could not be held accountable for a management failure to properly identify and correct a situation that was incompatible with TSA policy. Each of the suspensions was fully rescinded and all four screeners were returned to work with back pay.
Two of the TSOs wrote to AFGE to express their gratitude. To read what they had to say, click here.

Chicago TSO Back to Work, Thanks to AFGE
A TSO at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport (ORD) has been returned to work with back pay after the Disciplinary Review Board overturned her removal from TSA. The TSO had been removed from her position at ORD when a random drug screen returned a false positive result for drugs. A current and valid prescription medication, which the TSO had been taking under her physician's supervision, metabolized into components which interacted with the testing procedure used by the government, causing the false positive in the test results. Diligent research, along with overwhelming documentation of the metabolic breakdown of the prescription drug, has resulted in a victory for this TSO, allowing her to return to her position on the front lines of the nation's defense.

AFGE Wins Job Back for Salt Lake City TSO
AFGE successfully argued to have a Salt Lake City Transportation Security Officer's removal reduced down to a five-day suspension. The TSO was fired early this year when an emergency situation prevented him from giving the maximum advance notice for his approved leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. AFGE filed an appeal with the TSA Disciplinary Review Board in April, arguing that the TSO made a good-faith effort to comply with leave procedures, but it was not practical in his circumstance.

AFGE Wins Retaliation Case at Pittsburgh
After four years of TSA's foot-dragging and the misplacement of the case file in the EEOC field office, EEO Administrative Judge ruled in favor of a Pittsburgh TSO who filed a complaint that she was retaliated against after complaining to management about a co-worker who was sexually harassing her. The judge found that the management official who reassigned the TSO failed to explain why the TSO was given a reassignment she clearly did not want after she complained about sexual harassment. The judge further found that the management official's testimony was not credible.