It’s been an interesting year, to say the least, maybe a hybrid between what we thought would be the end of the pandemic transitioning into a return to some sense of normalcy, however, we received a late reminder that we are not completely out of the woods with sudden increases in Coronavirus cases, due to the Omicron variant. We also want to remember and honor the coworkers and Americans we have lost, including many of your family members, this year.
Recap of Each Month at AFGE TSA:
January – New presidential administration, which promises to be pro-labor and pro-Federal employee, is installed. President begins undoing previous administrations anti-worker agenda.
February – Longtime TSA Council 100 ally and Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) introduces H.R. 903: Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2021.
March – American Rescue Plan was passed by Congress and signed by the President of the United States, which afforded TSOs up to 600 hours of paid leave for matters pertaining to the Coronavirus, which included their family members, and several other important benefits, such as a monthly stimulus and P-EBT monies for their school-aged children.
April – Presidential administration orders Federal contractors to receive at least $15/hour minimum wage, paving the way for DHS Secretary (see June 2021) and TSA Administrator to fast-track an increased pay proposal for Transportation Security Officers.
May – Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduces Senate Bill 1856: Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2021.
June – DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas issues a memorandum to TSA Administrator David Pekoske ordering contract renegotiations, MSPB rights, Title 5-like rights, and pay similar to the General Schedule, including a detailed plan on implementation.
July – AFGE National President Everett Kelley delivers a convincing and important opinion piece in The Hill (https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/homeland-security/563648-wantshorter-lines-at-airport-security-improve?amp) after testifying to Congress on behalf of TSOs.
August – TSA Administrator submits final Determination, in accordance with DHS Secretary Mayorkas’ June order, to DHS Secretary.
September – AFGE Council 100, TSA, and the American public mourn the 20th anniversary of September 11th, 2001. Merit Systems Protection Board rights become a reality at TSA for TSOs.
October – Council 100 requested and discussed official time to train new and veteran stewards with TSA HQ; resulting in the approval of and included implementation of our first-ever CBA UDRS Training, via the Zoom webinar, for our over 40 Locals nationwide (see December 2021).
November – AFGE Council 100 celebrates and honors Transportation Security Officers, past and present, at TSA, which marked its 20th year since its inception.
December – There were a lot of firsts in the month of December. For the first time in Council 100 leadership’s history, we were able to train nearly 400 new and veteran stewards. We trained these stewards and leaders through the Zoom application with a small window of time to create and implement such training with only five weeks to work with. In all, there were six classes trained in all five weeks, with representatives from all 50 states covered, including U.S. territories of Guam and Saipan.
Good-bye 2021 . . . Hello 2022!
While 2021 brought us much to ponder, including tragedies, hopes, inspirations, and a lengthy to-do list for the upcoming year, we are certain that 2022 will be the year that we finally attain our long-awaited Title 5 rights legislatively. If 2021 was the groundwork for and our year of optimism, then 2022 is our year of implementation and execution. With that, we say good-bye to 2021; and hello to 2022! Here is to a Happy and safe New Year to you and your families!
Until Next Year, AFGE Council 100
Hydrick Thomas, President | Mac Johnson, Council Executive Vice President | Johnny Jones, Council Secretary-Treasurer | Shabay Izquierdo, Region 1 V.P. | John Hubert, Region 2 V.P. | Janis Casey, Region 3 V.P. | Becky Mancha, Region 4 V.P. | Greg Biel, Region 5 V.P. | Bobby Orozco Jr., Region 6 V.P. | Joe Shuker, Region 7 V.P. | Victor Payes Martinez, Fair Practices Coordinator | Concetta Fialkowski, Women’s Coordinator | Christopher Blessing, AFGE Council 100 Attorney