January 7, 2010

In Letter to President Obama,
Kelley Calls for Assessment of TSA Employee Issues
NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley has called on the White House to make an assessment of workplace issues facing frontline TSA employees as part of its comprehensive security review surrounding the attempted Christmas Day airline bombing.

While she made clear that frontline TSA personnel were not involved in the Christmas Day incident, President Kelley said that reviewing issues impacting TSA employees at the same time could lead to positive steps in helping to turn TSA into a world-class law enforcement agency.

In the letter to President Obama, President Kelley said: “We believe there are many issues facing frontline TSA personnel, the resolution of which could greatly enhance their ability to successfully provide the most effective transportation security system in the world.”

That was the goal of TSA when the agency was created in 2001. Nine years later, TSA has some of the highest attrition rates, on-the-job injury rates and the lowest morale in the federal government. These facts are more than enough evidence, President Kelley said, that the goals of [the law creating TSA] are not being met.

Along with a speedy confirmation of Erroll Southers as TSA Administrator, Kelley called for increasing the pay of Transportation Security Officers; improved training; and measures to ensure that national policies are properly followed by TSA management nationwide.

Noting that the White House has said the review of the lapses associated with this attempted terrorist act would be both dynamic and continuing over several months, Kelley commended the president for his “quick action” to review matters related to air travel security.

Learn more about NTEU's efforts at TSA at www.tsaunion.org.

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