HR 1881 BILL PASSES HOMELAND SECURITY COMTE

[Leo @ MIA]

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

makes THIS sick man happy to hear this,,,we are almost there. spread
the word about AFGE AND THE BILL

On a party-line vote, the House Homeland Security Committee approved a
bill on Thursday that would grant Transportation Security
Administration employees collective bargaining rights, and move
workers under the agency's pay-for-performance plan back to the
General Schedule.

The 13-6 vote in favor of the bill (H.R. 1881) came after little
debate. Committee members did not offer any amendments to the
legislation


THANK AFGE

Leo@MIA

[Leo @ MIA]

Committee Approves Bill Expanding Transportation Security Officers’
Workplace Rights


July 9, 2009 (WASHINGTON) – Today the House Committee on Homeland
Security, Chaired by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), approved
legislation introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) that would grant
Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same workplace protections
that other federal employees enjoy.

The Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act would allow more
than 42,000 TSOs and more than 50,000 total TSA employees to bargain
collectively, ensure appropriate compensation, and provide protections
against whistleblower retaliation. Employees at Federal Emergency
Management Agency, Customs and Border Patrol, and numerous other
federal security agencies are already afforded these basic workplace
rights.

“Treating our security workforce like spare parts only hinders the
development of an experienced and dedicated workforce focused on
protecting the public,” said Lowey. “Extending basic workplace
protections to TSOs is not only the right thing to do for 42,000
individuals performing grueling work to protect us, it will decrease
costs and improve results our air security.”

“I am pleased that the Committee on Homeland Security and all of its
Democratic members stood behind the TSA workforce. Our actions today
brings us one step closer to affording the workforce with the
protections, rights, pay and benefits that their colleagues across DHS
and the federal government enjoy,” added Chairman Thompson. “I applaud
Rep. Lowey for having the will to push forward with this very
important piece of legislation and I look forward to swift passage in
the House.”

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) working in airports across the
country are a first line of defense against terrorism. However, these
workers suffer from high injury rates, attrition, and the lowest
morale of all federal agencies. They lack the workplace protections –
collective bargaining rights and whistleblower protections – that
other federal employees enjoy. The lack of protections for screening
personnel, combined with poor workforce management, increases costs
and decreases security.

The House of Representatives approved expanding TSO workplace
protections in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission
Act of 2007, but the provision was dropped in conference in response
to President Bush’s veto threat.

# # #
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chairman Thompson: Dena Graziano or Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
Rep. Lowey: Matt Dennis at (202) 225-6506



Rep. Bennie G. Thompson
(D-MS)

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[National Organizer- South Florida]

Thank you Leo!