"Union Time" For Transportation Security Officers

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

"The threat that air travelers face is from terrorists, not labor unions," said Representative Nita Lowey (D, NY) at yesterday's rally supporting efforts by Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) to form a union. "The time for change is now and we're going to win!" added Kimberly Kraynak, President of Pitsburgh-based AFGE Local 332. "It's union time!" A celebratory mood was in snow and rain-free air and the blue-capped throng cheered and waved their signs as political and labor leaders pledged support and solidarity for the largest organizing drive in the nation. More than 30 percent of 41,000 TSOs nationwide support AFGE and the union filed a petition with the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) Monday for an election to allow the TSOs to vote on union representation. "We're putting employers on notice and our message is clear," added CWA President Larry Cohen. "We're fighting back and we're fighting for our rights and we're going to win!" AFGE President John Gage led his fellow speakers in urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to act swiftly to restore the workers' rights to bargain collectively, which have been denied since 2003. "These workers deserve to have a union, and AFGE and the 12 million AFL-CIO workers across America will march and stand and not back down until every TSO has the representation they deserve," said AFL-CIO Executive Vice President Arlene Holt Baker. - report/photos by Chris Garlock with additional reporting by Adam Wright