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U.S. House considers additional rights for airport security officers

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By John Nolan, Staff Writer 5:00 PM Sunday, September 20, 2009

Federal transportation security officers at U.S. airports would gain the right to collectively bargain with the Transportation Security Administration about conditions of employment, under legislation that two U.S. House committees have approved.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved the Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009 by a 19-10 vote on Sept. 10, echoing the approval given two months earlier by the Homeland Security Committee. The measure now goes to the full House, where it is yet to be scheduled for a vote.

TSA officers on duty at Dayton International Airport on Saturday, Sept. 19, declined to comment, saying they were not authorized to speak with reporters.

The Transportation Security Administration doesn’t comment on pending legislation, spokesman Jon Allen said. The American Association of Airport Executives, whose members include airport administrators nationwide, also declined comment.

Democrats on both House committees said the legislation could slow the turnover rate among TSA employees by giving its airport security officers the same benefits extended to other federal government workers, including protection for whistle-blowers and a hiring preference for veterans.

Republicans said there was bipartisan agreement — when the TSA was created after the 2001 terrorist attacks to take over airport security — to give the agency flexibility in its hiring and personnel practices so it could quickly hire a work force. That also allows the TSA the flexibility to fire under-performing employees, said Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., an opponent of the legislation.

There is no equivalent legislation in the Senate. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, would support giving the TSA officers collective bargaining rights, his spokeswoman Meghan Dubyak said Friday.

The issue is unlikely to make a difference for air travelers, but has been a contentious one in Washington in recent years. Democrats have failed in several prior attempts to give TSA officers collective bargaining rights.

If the legislation passes and helps make TSA officers happier in jobs that can be tedious, the public could benefit, said Richard Gritta, a University of Portland finance professor who specializes in aviation finance.

“These people need to be happy and they need to be attentive,” Gritta said.

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