House Passes Bill to Increase Uniform Allowance, Provide Protective Gear

Washington, D.C., June 12, 2009 – At the urging of the American Federation of Government Employees, the House yesterday passed a bill that would increase the annual uniform allowance for Transportation Security Officers from $150 to $300. The 2009 Transportation Security Administration Authorization Act would also mandate that TSA develop protocols for the use of protective equipment including respirators as part of its future preparation for pandemics and other health concerns.

"AFGE actively worked with members of Congress on both of these provisions that address safety, health and economic issues that are major concerns to our TSO members," said AFGE John Gage. "These issues could readily and easily be addressed by TSO collective bargaining rights, which currently don't exist."

The uniform allowance and protective equipment are two of the pressing issues AFGE is working on this year. TSA's painfully slow and poor response to the recent H1N1 flu outbreak prompted AFGE to protest to TSA and Congress when the union learned that TSOs across the country were made to work with no protective equipment as they screened passengers who may have been exposed to the swine flu. A number of workers told AFGE their requests for face masks had been denied.

The bill, H.R. 2200, passed the House with a voice vote of 397 to 25. It authorizes more than $15.6 billion to TSA for fiscal 2010 and 2011.

Meanwhile, AFGE continues to push for a bill that would move TSOs under the General Schedule system, which covers most federal employees. The Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act, H.R. 1881, would give TSOs collective bargaining rights and also do away with TSA's controversial pay system, the Performance Accountability and Standards System.