Kaine & Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect and Improve TSA’s Frontline Workforce Amid Trump Attacks
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined 26 of his Senate colleagues in introducing the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, legislation that would ensure all of the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) more than 65,000 employees—including frontline Transportation Security Officers (TSOs)—are afforded the same worker rights, protections, and pay system provided to most other federal workers. The legislation comes on the heels of the Trump Administration’s recent moves to cancel TSA workers’ current collective bargaining agreement.
The Rights for the TSA Workforce Act would provide TSA employees full federal employee collective bargaining rights, access to an independent third party for dispute resolution, and compensation under the General Services wage system.
“Every day, TSA agents ensure the safety of nearly three million airline passengers on more than 45,000 flights,” said Kaine. “But under current law, they aren’t guaranteed the same protections afforded to most other federal workers, a problem that’s being made worse by President Trump’s attempts to gut the federal workforce. I am proud to join my colleagues in advocating for this crucial legislation to strengthen protections for the dedicated Americans working to keep the traveling public safe.”
“The Transportation Security Administration is in crisis. DHS’s reckless decision to rescind TSA workers' collective bargaining agreement is blatant union-busting. If allowed to stand, it will silence 47,000 frontline officers who protect millions daily, clearing a path for Project 2025’s dangerous privatization scheme, prioritizing profits over national security and reviving the failed, profit-driven model from before the terrorist attacks of September 11. The Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, introduced by Representative Bennie Thompson and Senator Brian Schatz, is essential to restoring dignity, protecting workers’ rights, and ensuring aviation security isn’t outsourced to the lowest bidder. Congress must pass this bill immediately,” said American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) National President Everett Kelley.
This legislation was led by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) and cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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