Dayton Miami Valley AFL-CIO

Workday Minnesota editor Barb Kucera reports on the latest victory for transportation security officers (TSOs) who are fighting to win a union voice and collective bargaining rights at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). For more information on their campaign, visit AFGE’s TSA website here.

Transportation security officers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport have formed AFGE Local 899 while they await federal action enabling them to unionize.

Their organizing efforts got a boost from a solidarity event Monday with a national AFGE official, Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and leaders of unions representing other airport and airline workers.

“The union is coming!” AFGE chief of staff Brian DeWyngaert told security workers and supporters assembled on the mezzanine above the airport’s ticketing level. His comments were met with cheers and workers waving signs that read, “Give us freedom to bargain for the American dream.”

At Monday’s solidarity event, Ellison, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 5th District, praised the efforts of TSA workers and condemned Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-S.C.) statements that allowing TSOs to unionize threatens national security and encourages terrorism.

I fly through this airport twice a week. TSO agents are doing a good job every single day. Public safety depends upon workers who are feeling healthy, satisfied, protected, safe. Collective bargaining rights don’t hurt our safety, they help our safety because they make for a stronger workforce.

Click here to read Barb’s full article.

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