American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 100 Secretary-Treasurer Johnny Jones joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need to improve pay and benefits for Transportation Security Agency (TSA) workers by granting them Title 5 status.
Council 100 represents bargaining unit employees within the TSA.
Title 5 status would provide TSA employees full union rights and protections, put employees on the General Schedule pay scale for federal employees and provide for a third-party review of workforce disciplinary matters.
On average, TSA workers make a third of what other government agency employees make and do not enjoy the same rights and benefits, Jones said. As a result, the agency struggles with constant turnover. The average TSA employee lasts less than a year on the job, he added.
In May, the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Resolution 903, the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act. The U.S. Senate is considering similar legislation under Senate Bill 1856, which Jones hopes will soon see a vote. The legislation would provide TSA employees with Title 5 workplace rights and protections.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about the TSA employees’ need for Title 5 status.