Federal Diary: Airport Screeners Closer to Bargaining Rights

Charity Wilson didn't go looking for a fight when she went to the Cannon House Office Building yesterday, but she was ready in case one broke out.

Wilson, an American Federation of Government Employees lobbyist, was prepared to provide Homeland Security Committee members with rebuttal arguments against any attempt to weaken or kill legislation that would allow airport screeners the right to bargain collectively.

But Republican opponents apparently knew a fight would be futile. The 13 to 6 vote along party lines that advanced the bill came after almost no debate. What could have been a long, contentious meeting was over in less than 20 minutes.

Given that, perhaps it was fitting that the main argument of New York Rep. Peter T. King, the top Republican on the panel, against the measure was "this is very much a rush to judgment."

Of course, Wilson, and history, beg to differ.

"It's been a long, hard slog," she said outside the hearing room, recalling efforts to organize transportation security officers that began in 2001. "We believe we are on our way."

Officers do have the right to join unions -- and many are members of the AFGE or the National Treasury Employees Union. But those unions don't have the ability to bargain on their members' behalf.

Complaining that screeners now are treated "like spare parts," Rep. Nita M. Lowey (D-N.Y.), the chief sponsor of the bill, said in a statement that "extending basic workplace protections to TSOs . . . will decrease costs and improve results in our air security."

It probably also will improve morale at the agency. It certainly can't hurt. Though there has been some improvement on that front, employee surveys indicate that the TSA remains near the bottom of the heap in regard to federal workers' view of their workplace.

Gaining bargaining rights for the 45,000 screeners has been a top priority for both unions. They pressed Barack Obama on it during the presidential campaign and have urged the White House or the Department of Homeland Security to issue an order creating those rights. But that route has been complicated, because the top position in the department's Transportation Security Administration is vacant.

Using the legislative route, even while hoping for administrative action, is the next best thing for the unions. The bill advanced yesterday now goes to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, where it should have no trouble. The legislation has not been considered by the Senate this session. Passage by the full, union-friendly Congress is likely at some point. Whenever that happens, it won't be soon enough for officers who have been pushing for the right to negotiate.

"I'm thinking it's a wonderful thing. . . . It's been way too long" said Kimberly Kraynak, a behavior detection officer and president of AFGE Local 332 at Pittsburgh International Airport.