From the Beginning in New Beginnings

If there has been one major sin AFGE has committed through the years, it has been not trumpeting its own victories loudly and obnoxiously, and to some degree, allowing TSA to take credit for things it never initiated, much of which were ideas or legislation which came from the Union. Of course, there are specific reasons why this occurred, for example, we walked on eggshells when necessary to protect the workforce.

When the agency holds all the cards, it becomes difficult to publish positive results for the Union, when the agency only needs to retract their initial stance and reissue their own decision to their loss, such has been done during contract bargaining since we received the “right” to bargain under the authority of the administrator. In those cases, the Union won arbitration decisions and TSA changed the rules to accommodate its losses—did someone say, poor sport? We have been operating like this, in this abusive relationship for twenty years!

We are no longer the inferior entity, scared that we will lose what we have for the sake of speaking up for what’s right; neither are we superior, but in this new era, we, the Union, the mighty, mighty Union, are partners in an industry where public administration meets counterterrorism meets aviation and customer service. Our goal is the same as TSA’s, to protect U.S. travelers and prevent another attack on U.S. soil from ever reoccurring on our watch! In this light, we will also protect those who are the protectors in this post-9-11 world.  

Since the moment AFGE began fighting to Federalize the private-sector screening workforce, through lawsuits to just represent them, going from screeners to Officers, to winning an election to become the exclusive representative, negotiating TSA’s first-ever collective bargaining agreement, through all good and ill, including shutdowns and an unprecedented pandemic, AFGE has been the one constant. So much so that the only other phrases which have been equally synonymous with “AFGE” and “Union” are “Title 5” and “GS pay.”

If there was one question our members—and even non-members—consistently asked when anyone mentioned AFGE, it was, “What’s going on with GS and Title 5?!” Because whether anyone wanted to admit it or not, AFGE was known to be the sole entity fighting for these rights, through seven DHS Secretaries, seven permanent and six acting TSA Administrators, one department change (from Transportation to Homeland Security), and countless disappointments when nothing occurred at the end of each congressional session.

From an innumerable list of PASS and TOPS grievances filed, to national pushback on stressful practical skills evaluations, unfair annual proficiency reviews, and overall better treatment of TSA employees, AFGE has been on and part of this journey with you all, throughout. Now, with our fight coming into full view, AFGE—with much-needed assistance from the TSA Administrator—has secured funding for GS-like pay and improved working conditions, through the passage of budgeted funds in the Omnibus Spending Bill for 2023. 

This is not one of those “if you know, you know” moments, nor should anyone accept humble leavings; there is a clear understanding that, regardless of one’s opinion, they must and should acknowledge the originating, hard work, and collective efforts of AFGE and its Union representatives, who won this major, historical victory. Make no mistake, do not be deceived, and accept no imitations, it was not TSA, but AFGE, its representatives and members who labored for twenty long years. How do we know this? Under ATSA, at any time, TSA Administrators had authority to change employee pay and benefits, yet all chose not to do so.

While this is one lunar step forward, we still have a way to go to ensure enactment of these new-found benefits into law—otherwise we will be fighting every year for the funding. However, do not be dismayed; after living in the basement of DHS for twenty-years, we have finally emerged to the top of its staircase, now we need to begin exploring the rest of the manse. We are finally on the ground floor, and while it is not our ultimate objective, it feels damn good for TSOs to feel some sunshine on our otherwise dark and damp existence.

Here’s to our fight: Past. Present. Future. Let’s do this, as we always have, together!

Here’s to a New Day,