House advances legislation extending Transportation Security Officer rights, protections

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill designed to extend Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) equal rights and protections provided other workers under Title 5 of the U.S. Code.

Reps. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Nita Lowey (D-NY) sponsored the Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act, which stipulates TSOs would be compensated under the General Services wage system, have full collective bargaining rights and be provided opportunities to effectively raise issues in disputes to an independent third party.

“By enacting this legislation and placing TSA under the time-tested personnel system of Title 5, TSA will be able to reduce attrition, boost morale, and overall improve the treatment of its frontline workforce,” Thompson, Committee on Homeland Security chairman, said. “In turn, this will position TSA to have a more experienced workforce with the proficiency needed to execute its national security mission and help it continue to mature as a homeland security agency.”

Lowey said she is grateful for Thompson’s partnership regarding the legislation.

“We have worked on this bill for a very long time, and I’m thrilled it passed the House today,” Lowey, chairwoman of the Committee on Appropriations, said. “The Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act would give TSA’s screening workforce fair pay under the General Schedule pay scale, sick leave according to OPM guidelines and collective bargaining rights. Our TSOs have earned these rights, and it is unreasonable to deny these hardworking men and women the basic protections of Federal civil service.”