Tsa Morale

Empower Screeners to Ensure Security

Why Change is Urgently Needed at TSA

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF

GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

May 2005

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction/Executive Summary 1

AFGE Recommends 2

The Dangers of Opting Out 3

TSA’s Leading Contractor Cheated on FAA Security Probe 3

Privatized Security’s Past Failures 5

The Record Speaks for Itself 7

TSA Fails to Oversee Contractors 7

Security is Too Important to Contract Out 8

The U.S. Aviation Industry’s Survival is at Stake 9

The Public and Major Organizations Believe Screening is a Public Function 9

TSA Drops the Ball 10

Training is Inadequate 10

Testing is Severely Flawed 11

Weeding Out the Good Apples 12

Unprofessional Wage Practices 12

Bait and Switch 13

Incompetent Procurement, Equipment Utilization 13

Unsafe Working Conditions 15

Persistent High Turnover 15

Chronically Inadequate Staffing 16

Too Much Mandatory Overtime 16

The Vicious Circle 17

Screeners Denied Veterans’ Preference 17

TSA Denies Veterans’ Preference, Violates Intent of Congress 17

Opt-Outs End Veterans’ Preference 18

Veterans Denied Recourse 18

No Place to Go 18

Screeners Denied Collective Bargaining Rights 19

Collective Bargaining Strengthens the Fight Against Terrorism 19

TSA Denied Right to Union Representation 20

“Catch 22” for Employees Seeking Union Representation 21

AFGE Local 1 Proudly Represents Screeners 21

Screeners Denied Whistleblower Protections 22

TSA Violates Intent of Congress and Its Own Promises 22

Whistleblowers Left in a Black Hole 22

TSA to Whistleblower: “You’re Fired!” 23

Screeners Denied Due Process, Constitutional Rights 24

No Way to Address Broken Promises on Pay 24

No Way to Address Leave, Dismissal Disputes 24

Leave Without Recourse 25

Second-Class Employees 25

Screeners Can Be Fired Without Justification 26

The Constitution Does Not Apply! 26

EEO Becomes...