The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made a bold move, announcing plans to terminate the collective bargaining agreement for frontline workers at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). This decision could spark a legal battle, as it impacts around 45,000 employees, including baggage screeners.
DHS argues that invalidating the 2024 agreement will eliminate bureaucratic barriers and improve the efficiency, productivity, and adaptability of the workforce. The agency contends that some TSA employees are abusing sick leave policies, which burdens fellow workers who are forced to cover additional shifts. The new approach will be performance-based, focusing on individual results rather than union affiliation or tenure, DHS stated.
A department spokesperson confirmed that union dues collection through TSA’s payroll system will immediately cease. The DHS also promised to carry out a smooth transition to dismantle any functions tied to the now-defunct agreement.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents TSA workers, strongly opposed the move, calling it a blatant attack on workers’ rights. AFGE President Everett Kelley accused the DHS of using fabricated reasons to justify the termination, arguing that the action was not about enhancing safety or efficiency, but about punishing union members. The union is now exploring its legal options to challenge the decision.
TSA Administrator Adam Stahl informed staff in an email that the union is no longer the exclusive representative for screeners, noting the end of union dues processing, which had amounted to about $15 million annually.
The TSA’s shift toward a new compensation and bargaining system in 2022 had previously aligned TSA employees with other federal workers, offering competitive raises and benefits. Under the previous system, employees gained flexibility in taking unscheduled leave for family or personal reasons.
Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), a vocal advocate for collective bargaining rights, condemned the DHS’s action, warning it would lead to fewer TSA officers, longer lines at security checkpoints, and a potential threat to national security.
This move aligns with a broader pattern of the Trump administration’s efforts to exert control over the federal workforce. Similar actions, including restricting collective bargaining rights for telework arrangements, have sparked controversy in other federal agencies. Critics argue these policies undermine the rights of hardworking federal employees, all while jeopardizing efficiency and national safety.