The Transportation Security Administration is renewing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's push to end a collective bargaining agreement with airport screening officers — the second such attempt this year and one that comes just a month after the longest government shutdown on record.
The agency said Friday the move is based on a September memo from Noem that says TSA screeners “have a primary function of national security” and therefore should not engage in collective bargaining or be represented by a union.
The American Federation of Government Employees swiftly vowed to fight the decision, calling it illegal and a violation of a federal judge's preliminary injunction issued in June that blocked Noem's first attempt to terminate the contract representing 47,000 workers. Emailed requests for comment were sent to TSA and Homeland Security.
