AFGE's TSO Leadership in 2nd Meeting with Management

Leave, Promotion, Discipline, Split-Shifts, Overtime Discussed

Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 2009 – The second labor-management meeting between the Transportation Security Administration and the largest TSA union, the American Federation of Government Employees, took place last Friday with several personnel issues discussed. Changes in local policies are expected as TSA is working to get under control inconsistency between local and national policies.  

Leave restrictions, promotion, and disciplinary actions dominated the meeting, in which TSA officials admitted that several airports arbitrarily implement policies not endorsed by the headquarters and in violation of national policies.

President John Gage, who led the AFGE team of staff and eight Transportation Security Officers, proposed several changes in TSA's personnel practices, including a request to have a sample of acceptable doctor's note on the back of a sick leave request so that managers can no longer reject leave requests claiming not enough information is provided. Gage also told TSA officials that leave use does not constitute leave abuse, with which TSA Assistant Administrator for Human Capital Richard Whitford agreed. Whitford said after reviewing several local leave practices, he found that many airports had policies in contradiction with TSA's national policy. He said the agency is in the process of sending area directors to each airport to gauge local practices and make sure they are consistent with national policies. 

Other issues of discussion included:

Promotion: AFGE told TSA that the process of promoting TSOs from the D band to the E band is flawed in that any disciplinary action or claim of use of unapproved sick leave can block a promotion. The union pointed out that TSA's broken leave policies are trapping TSOs in the D band with no hope of promotion. Managers also rarely, if ever, debrief employees who apply for promotion but are not promoted, a violation of the national policy. AFGE requested that TSA publish a uniform criteria for promotion to various positions and debrief TSOs who apply but are not promoted. TSA officials said they are in the process of making promotions more objective and transparent. For example, all airports will use form questions, so everybody gets asked the same questions. They will also use mixed groups of people with different backgrounds to do the interviews. 

Split-shifts: TSA told AFGE that split-shifts should only be voluntary, but the union has learned otherwise. TSA said it will clarify with Federal Security Directors that the number of split-shift slots up for bids should be limited to the number of TSOs who volunteer to work split-shift. AFGE raised the problem of employees working split-shifts having no place to rest between their two shifts. AFGE also brought up the issue of new employees being hired as full-time while part-timers with years of experience are left waiting. TSA said this shouldn't be happening and promised to take a look at it. 

Peer review: AFGE pointed out several problems with the peer review process. The employee, for example, doesn't have the opportunity to rebut management's claim. Employees selected to be on the peer review panel also fear retaliation if they issue a decision against management. TSA admitted that only one third of peer review panel decisions are in favor of the employee.

H1N1: AFGE shared with TSA the documentation the union has collected on how H1N1 policies are different at each airport and how inconsistent they are with TSA's national policy. TSA officials reiterated their policy that when people are sick, they ought to stay home. AFGE linked this issue to the policy of not allowing TSOs to wear their uniform jackets on the lane. The union argued that TSOs should be allowed to wear their jackets if they are cold especially in winter and the flu season.

Disciplinary issues: AFGE briefed TSA about a local policy being implemented at several airports including those in Los Angeles, Palm Beach, and Providence which requires employees to respond to a disciplinary action within 24 hours without allowing them time to consult with their union representatives. TSA officials said this was never approved by TSA. AFGE also raised the issue of untimeliness of disciplinary actions. The union said if employees did something wrong, they should be notified right away and not a year later when they don't remember the incident and can't defend themselves.  Earlier notification would also ensure that TSOs are placed on notice that they need to improve their performance or conduct. 

Light duty and dual function: AFGE shared with TSA the situation at the Charlotte airport where 10 TSOs received letters saying they will be removed if they cannot perform both passenger and baggage screening duties. Management promised to take a look into the case. 

Mandatory overtime: Mandatory overtime is another big issue at many airports. At Dulles, for example, TSOs are required to work overtime for six hours every Wednesday. AFGE suggested a process in which overtime is assigned fairly to those who want it.  The process currently in place does not ensure that everyone can obtain overtime.

Dignity and respect: Gage told TSA that AFGE has received numerous reports of managers berating TSOs in public and in front of passengers. He emphasized that this type of behavior is not conducive to a high performing workplace. AFGE asked that TSA issue a memo asking managers and employees to deal with each other in a professional manner at all times. 

The AFGE team included AFGE President John Gage, General Counsel Mark Roth, TSOs Dennis Acevendo (West Palm Beach), Rick McCoy (Chicago O'Hare) Hydrick Thomas (JFK), Aubrey Williams (Atlanta) Rob McNeil (Providence), Valorie Lacey (Philadelphia), Cindy Jensen (Salt Lake City), and Kim Kraynak (Pittsburgh), Bob Marchetta (Local 2222), Staff Counsel Chad Harris, Legislative Representative Charity Wilson, and Labor Relations Specialist Derrick Davis. 

The meeting is second in a series of labor-management meetings between TSA and AFGE. The historic, first ever labor-management meeting took place in July.