On Jan. 9, 2003 – just over a year after 9/11 – President George W. Bush’s Transportation Security Administration head James Loy banned collective bargaining for passenger and baggage screeners at two of the nation’s busiest airports, LaGuardia in New York and Baltimore-Washington International Airport. He would go on to ban bargaining at more airports and security screeners would not gain their union rights until another president reversed the ruling in 2011.

Workers had petitioned to join the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), citing 21-hour shifts, paycheck delays, health and safety problems and sexual harassment. In response, Loy claimed the law creating TSA allowed him to ban collective bargaining because union contracts could slow response times when staffing changes are made during terrorism alerts. Said his spokesman Robert Johnson “When it comes to responding to new intelligence or terrorist threats on a moment's notice, we don't have time to check with a shop steward.”

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., called out the statement for exactly what it was: union busting. The Senator pointed out that the TSA already had the right to temporarily stop collective bargaining rights during an emergency. Kennedy also recognized that good morale and respect for workers was closely connected to productivity and efficiency. Eight years later in February, 2011, the Obama administration reversed course and granted screeners collective bargaining rights. "The safety of the traveling public is our top priority and we will not negotiate on security," said TSA Administrator Pistole. "But morale and employee engagement cannot be separated from achieving superior security. If security officers vote to move forward with collective bargaining, this framework will ensure that TSA retains the capability and flexibility necessary to respond to evolving threats, and continue improving employee engagement, performance and professional development." #UnionHistory #UnionsMatter #PROUAW ... See MoreSee Less