A little over twenty years ago, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) rolled out its Transportation Security Screeners at airports across the nation, because of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, which killed nearly 3,000 Americans in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Since then, TSA frontline employees, now known as Transportation Security Officers, have ensured safe and secure aviation and transportation systems in the United States.
Over the last twenty years, TSA Officers with the support of their Union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), have fought to secure their own workplace rights and increased fair pay, while providing world-class security to the American public, including all members of Congress, in a manner that is commensurate with elite security protocols.
AFGE TSA Council 100, in collaboration with all TSA Local Unions, has led this fight since the beginning of this agency—and finally this past year, was able to achieve temporary General Schedule-like pay with increased workplace rights. Why temporary? Because AFGE needs your assistance in securing long-term, codified pay and rights. How? By contacting your U.S. House of Representatives congressional member and asking them to support H.R. 3394 “Fund the TSA Act,”—and encouraging your coworkers, family, and friends to do the same.
Every new September 11th, following 2001, is a stark reminder of what can happen if we let our guard down, but it also reminds us how we can prevent potential future tragedies by hiring well-trained, dedicated, experienced Officers into the Federal service. However, securing permanent pay increases and lawful workplace rights would alleviate higher-than-normal government agency attrition rates, such as those experienced at TSA airports.
On this Patriot Day—as we have done prior to- and we will do going forward—we commit to upholding the Mission, Vision, Core Values, and U.S. Constitution that we swore to protect. Now, let us collectively recommit to affirming our oaths; restate our pledges to fight for our members; and reassure the American public that we will never forget the catastrophic events of September 11, 2001; and we will never forgive those who intend on doing us harm.
In Servitude,
AFGE Council 100
Hydrick Thomas, President | Mac Johnson, Council Executive Vice President | Johnny Jones, Council Secretary-Treasurer | Thomas Schoregge, 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