WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 1881, The Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009

Comment by Pestimistic (November 22, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

The bill in question is not going to pass. One sign of this is now the BDO program is under pass, with this going into effect for fy2011 why would we all think this bill would pass this year, last year or any upcoming year. Let's face it the good ol' boy system is here to stay and if you not kissing someones you know what or blowing someone we will never get promoted and put the right amount of food on our tables. We are just the bottom feeders of this agencyeanwhile you got H and I band managers reaping all the awards for our hard labor. Now I now what a Chinese sweatshop feels like. We not only have a unfair pay system but uninhabitable work conditions as well. As a man once said if we don't like where we work we should start looking for another job. It is only a matter of time until you have an automated checkpoint with a little need of the amount of officers we currently have in this agency....

Comment by update (November 21, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

This bill is pretty much dead in the water. No co-bill to introduce it with and no sponsor in the Senate = very low odds of this ever seeing the light of day....

Revision by webmaster (November 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

H.R. 1881 would enhance the transportation security functions of the Department of Homeland Security by providing for an enhanced personnel system for employees of the Transportation Security Administration.

Detailed Summary

<b>(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)</b>

Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009 - Terminates certain authorities under the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel management system with respect to TSA employees under the Aviation and Transportation Security Act and related law, including all authority to establish or adjust a human resources management system.

Subjects TSA employees (including screeners) to the protections of the federal civil service system, including the right to collective bargaining, compensation, leave, health, and other employee rights. Prohibits any reduction in rate of pay or certain other rights of TSA employees upon conversion from the TSA personnel system to the federal civil service system.

Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security, within 14 days after enactment of this Act, to: (1) inform the TSA employees' qualified labor organization in writing of the conversion plans; and (2) afford the organization a reasonable opportunity to present its views and recommendations. Requires the Secretary to consider such views or recommendations before taking final action and give the organization a written statement of the reasons for such final actions.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be considered to repeal or otherwise affect specified federal laws prohibiting strikes against the U.S. Government.

Authorizes appropriations.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/29/2009: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 154.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Comment by Old man in the moon (November 11, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

I have come to the realization that we need to just be thankful we have a job in these times of economic uncertainty....

Comment by 2nd try (November 10, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

. TSA has just a set of rules that are up to the interpretation of the Local management. They tell lies to Washington, get they’re budgets passed and do what they want. After 7yrs it really needs to be addressed. As officers of the federal gov. We screen for passengers who we keep safe. We are not different or less needed than customs or ICE or any agency. So why are my workplace protections different? Why are we the only employee’s that need to pay to park at work. Why does the person cleaning the checkpoint make more than a so called certified officer. We need a labor contract so managements dictation of our job description is outlined. That we are paid for what we do and cannot be fired because of a local policy subject to the good ole boy interpitation...

Comment by Screener til the wheels fall off (October 31, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

It doesn matter wether we talk about 1881 or the issues at airports because they are one in the same. Tsa has the highest attrition rate the ;highest turnover rate and highest Injury rate than all the dhs agencies combined and I am damn proud to be apart of that record hahahahaha. This is why we need 1881. If you don't believe YouTube Ted Kennedy speech....

Comment by Israel (October 18, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

This Bill will put these Officers on the GS pay scale. It is not giving them more than others who are doing similar work on the GS scale. I have read they are constantly being tested to keep them abreast with current procedures. In a world were those seeking terror are doing everything to get around procedures there is a need to change on a regular basis. I have to keep up with things when I travel. Unfortunately it is a necessary evil. I hear fellow passengers complaining and arguing with these officers about things. We have to realize that when we enter the airport we are entering the front lines of aviation security. We may not like something but that is not the time or place for debate. Talk to your senator and congressman. The Transportation Security Officers are there to preserve democracy, not to practice it. They deserve appropriate pay for appropriate work....

Comment by Sgt Pepper (October 14, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I agree Americans are very whinny. This is the have it your way country. No matter the cost. God forbid you show id to get on an airplane. Just like driving, which by the way you need id for, flying is also a privlage and not a right....

Comment by Israel (October 13, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

The TSO's deserve more. In my travels I have seen many arrogant and ignorant passengers. It is the passengers responsibility to know they are entering an airport and they need to prepare and comply with security protocols for their trip. If they don't like it, don't fly. Talk to the airline go online to the TSA website to know what to expect at an airport. Flying today is a much different than 20 years ago. We live in a global network now. If people want to live in a bubble and be self-centered as if the Officers at the airport are supposed to know you then they will have problems. Those seeking to do harm are from all cultures, ages, from children to grandmothers, from people in uniforms to business suits, from the healthy to the invalid, whether knowingly or not. I have lived and travelled in Europe and the Middle East and Americans are the whinniest group. TSA is there to keep us safe. Dr. Condolezza Rice said 'we have to be right 100% of the time, they only have to be right once.'...

Comment by Sgt Pepper (October 1, 2009, 01:00:00)

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EDT

What the!!! Topic: Bill -No Bill. Pass-- No pass. NOT-- The tsa is this the Tsa is that. There out to get me. The Ufo's are coming. Jesus what is wrong with the people that post here....

Revision by webmaster (September 30, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Detailed Summary

Provides that nothing in this Act shall repeal laws against striking against the U.S. Government.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 9/29/2009: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 154.

Points in Favor

(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)

Points Against

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Status as of September 29, 2009

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

9/29/2009: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 154.

Comment by JAH former RNO TSA 2002-2008 (September 26, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I just want the public to know that the vast majority of TSA officers are hard working, well trained and knowledgeable people with the best interests in the safety of the traveling public. We did the very best with the equipment we were given. This blog has made TSA look like a joke which it is NOT. I was caught in the first wave of "downsizing" a year ago; but knowing the complications of the job, I am thrilled that newer "state of the art" equipment is coming in and the "unproductive" fat will be trimmed. The agency and the traveling public will be better off for it! Best wishes to all my former TSA family....

Comment by Scwymstr (September 26, 2009, 01:00:00)

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Hey Folks!! Me Again!! Ya'll need to go back in yer collective memories a bit. When the tsa was first started the private company folks who were doin' the screening were promised the better payin' gigs ifn' they'd hang around 'til all us " 1st Edition " tsa folk got into place. Of course we 1st edition folk didn't know that hahahaa....when we'uns walked into the airport on our 1st day we was greeted by ticket agents and $6 an hour private company screeners who was now, low and behold, MANAGERS hahahhaaa!! Most of 'em was dyslexic or just plain stoopid!! That's why they had the " acting supervisor " gig goin' on for well over the 1st year! They was scared to death to let the supervisors they " GAVE " the positions to actually try to do the job! The point being? The TSA started out wrong, and it will always be run incorrectly. Period. End of discussion. Get a real job. Later....

Comment by Canary no cole mine (September 23, 2009, 01:00:00)

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

5 percent of bills actually become law and this bill does not have a sponsor in the Senate so in my opinion this bill is dead in the water. Maybe the president will grant collective bargaining....

Comment by Big dog (September 22, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Yeah I hear you man, I think Tsa should be privatized too, people at the airports look at you guys and see their hard earned money being wasted....

Comment by Old man in the moon (September 21, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have been a TSO for 6 years now and I am "actively" looking for another job. Tsa is such a joke. The BEST thing that can be done is to privatize the airports again just using the standards that are now in place (Which were NOT pre 911) Get the over burdened government out of the screening/ guard/soap and dirty underwear checker business! Fact is all we here about now is inside" jobs or cases that are 12-20 years old. With all the employees going through the portals at airports THATS where they should be focusing but do they? NO...Idiots!...

Comment by Canry no cole mine (September 21, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Uhhh the old saying comes to mind if your not part of the solution then you are a part of the-- well you know...

Comment by Jack Hoff (September 15, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Who gives a sqirrel crap what they talk about Are you the moderator of this site? There is no Tsa forum for them to post on since the only one that existed was shut down....

Comment by TSA 2009 (September 15, 2009, 01:00:00)

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Jack Hoff, I am not the moderator here. Just wondering why we are straying from the issues at hand. Going to a GS pay scale and having collective bargaining agreement....

Comment by Boxer (September 14, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Its obvious the TSA is looking to cut it's staffing by all the programs they are instituting. Let the bean counting begin!!! The TSA is currently on a mission to cut it's staffing with any means they can. I think there are too many high end positions they need to get rid of in TSA. TSA is too top heavy!! There are retired military, government, law enforcement, postal people, airline employees in the TSA who are milking the system. Building up their retirement of 30 plus years and collecting a paycheck. Collecting a paycheck at others expense.The TSA needs to force those out into a final retirement. Most of the TSA's employees that are categorized as "dead wood" are those who are retired in high end positions.For those employees who do not want to come to work they need to move on. At some point in the near future TSA will end up with a skeleton crew at airports....

Comment by angryscreener (September 14, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I have been a TSO for 7 years. I have personally experienced the hell they given me and other TSOs. It's time us to have the same rights as other agencies. They have wasted millions of dollars on part-time TSOs that won't stay. They keep saying we're overstaffed, but how come I have to do ticket check when I should be checking bags ramp side. While baggage TSOs are upstairs doing this, bags are not making it on the planes with the passengers. Don't we still need to check cargo, railroad, and shipping. Management at my aiport needs to stop abusing TSOs, and this bill will do it. Vote yes for HR 1881....

Comment by Boxer (September 14, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

A union does not give you a "get out of jail free card." AFGE is a joke of a union. Charging $30.00 a month for bogus representation! TSA nor DHS reconizes a union. Yes there are unions floating around but none of them can do anything. If any union should come to the TSA, NTEU should be the one. NTEU represents Customs, Border Patrol. Does NTEU charge union dues for bogus representation?? No!...

Comment by TSA 2009 (September 14, 2009, 01:00:00)

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

Why are there dicussions about what they do at RNO or any other airport? This blog is about HR-1881 not issues about screeners, AFSD'S or any other individuals. Am I correct?...

Comment by CH (September 11, 2009, 01:00:00)

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EDT

I would like to see this bil pass as well but I would also like to see a major shakedown of the whole organization. Get rid of all incompetent staff. Including TSO's as well. Tired of the welfare types calling out, lying about on the job injuries and generally slacking off while on duty. Those that think a union is the answer to our prayers are also fooling themselves. Unions are just as corrupt and incompetent as the rest of the government. They just become another deduction on our already shrinking paycheck....