Summary
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is trying again to end a union agreement with airport screening officers, following a government shutdown. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) intends to fight the TSA's plan, which had been previously stopped by a judge. TSA aims to replace the current contract with a new framework focusing on security.
Key Facts
- The TSA wants to end its union agreement with airport screeners, saying national security is their main duty.
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem first tried to end the agreement before, but a judge stopped it.
- The union for TSA workers, called AFGE, says ending the agreement is illegal and violates a court order.
- The TSA plans to end the current contract by January 2024 and wants to replace it with a focus on security.
- Secretary Noem had recently given $10,000 bonuses to some TSA officers for their work during a government shutdown.
- Noem first tried ending the agreement in February, and a trial is scheduled for next year.
- A judge stated the union's lawsuit likely to succeed, as the directive could violate workers' rights.
- AFGE represents about 800,000 federal employees and argues the Trump administration's actions aim to weaken worker protections.
