WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following statement was issued by Sonny Hall, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO, on the Bush Administration’s recent announcement that newly federalized airport security workers will not be granted whistle blower protections to report security breaches without fear of reprisal.
“We are stunned by the Administration’s apparent plan to deny whistle blower protections to federal airport security screeners. This policy decision is out of step with the American people, ignores congressional intent, and quite frankly, defies logic. It is a bizarre and dangerous irony that at a time when our government is spending billions to secure our airports and skies and to staff a new “federalized” security force, it would consider denying these workers the basic right to speak out on security and safety threats.
“As part of the landmark aviation security law enacted last November, Congress explicitly directed the Administration to provide basic whistle blower protections to security employees. We appreciate the vigilance of Rep. Ed Pastor, Sen. Charles Grassley and other lawmakers on this issue, and they can count on transportation workers to support their effort to reverse the Administration’s decision.
“By making airport security screening a federal function, Congress and the President made a bold statement about the importance of these workers’ jobs. But by denying them whistle blower protections – and continuing to equivocate on whether these workers will be allowed to bargain collectively and unionize – we are sending these men and women the message that they are second-class federal employees while expecting them to be first-class security professionals. Their work is too critical to our national security for this to be tolerated.
“An airport security screener must have unbridled authority to point out security breaches and irregularities observed on the job. No other factor – such as discipline or retribution from supervisors – should ever have to enter a worker’s mind when confronted with unsafe situations. We urge the Administration to reconsider this ill-advised policy decision.”
TTD represents 34 member unions in the aviation, rail, transit, trucking, highway, longshore, maritime and related industries. For more information, visit www.ttd.org.