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NTEU Applauds Congressional Support of TSA Employees’ Workplace Rights
NTEU applauded the commitment of 88 members of the U.S. House of Representatives to support the workplace rights of TSA employees.
On July 22, NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley sent a letter to key House members urging them to sign on to a letter asking TSA Administrator John Pistole to quickly review current policies at his agency and strongly consider granting comprehensive workplace rights to TSA employees.
“By supporting fundamental civil service and collective bargaining rights of TSA employees, these members of Congress are supporting a stronger and more effective agency,” Kelley said.
Led by Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, and Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), the signees are co-sponsors of H.R. 1881, a bill to provide Transportation Security Officers with standard government employment rights to ensure a professional, experienced transportation protection workforce.
“As the congressional letter highlights, collective bargaining rights in TSA will demonstrably improve the ability of TSA to carry out its mission,” Kelley said.
Serious Health and Safety Issues Impact TSA Employees
TSA employees face a range of serious—and what should be avoidable—workplace health and safety issues, NTEU told a House subcommittee.
Among the problems are overexposure to emissions from forklifts and cargo tugs in the air cargo area, and the potential for excessive radiation exposure, NTEU testified at a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce.
These results were shown in two studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which issued a number of recommendations for improvements, including better training on radiation issues and proper work practices and improved equipment maintenance.
“Despite these NIOSH recommendations,” NTEU said, “our members have not seen any personal radiation testing done.”
In its testimony, NTEU raised a serious concern among TSA employees that baggage screening areas are noisy, dirty and hot. At Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, for example, NTEU TSA members have recorded temperatures in excess of 90 degrees on numerous occasions—yet their requests for fans and bottled water have gone unanswered. TSA has a high injury rate, in part related to the heavy lifting, standing, bending and stooping required to handle passenger baggage. More
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