Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, DHS NEWS—Department of Homeland Security terminates collective bargaining rights of airport security screeners, (Mar 10, 2025)

By Jason Albright, J.D.

DHS argued that collective bargaining has constrained the Transportation Security Administration’s efforts “to safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe.”

On Friday, March 7, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it is “ending” collective bargaining for the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), a process that DHS said has “constrained TSA’s chief mission: to safeguard our transportation systems and keep Americans safe.” According to a press announcement of the policy change issued by DHS, “Eliminating collective bargaining removes bureaucratic hurdles that will strengthen workforce agility enhance productivity and resiliency, while also jumpstarting innovation.”

Alleged “resilience” concerns. Under the heading “Making America’s Transportation Networks Resilient Again,” the agency’s announcement describes “[g]aps in benefit programs, including non-verifiable Family and Medical Leave,” that are allegedly “being exploited by a select few poor performers, placing greater burden on TSOs at the expense of American travelers and taxpayers.”

“TSA,” the agency asserted, “has more people doing full-time union work than we have performing screening functions at 86% of our airports. Of the 432 federalized airports, 374 airports have fewer than 200 TSA Officers to preform screening functions.”

“These people…” “Nearly 200 TSA Officers are paid by the government but work full-time on union matters,” DHS continued. “These people do not retain certification to perform screening functions.”

Opportunities “based on their performance.” The agency also noted that “in a recent TSA employee survey, over 60% said poor performers are allowed to stay employed and, not surprisingly, continue to not perform.”

“By eliminating the collective bargaining agreement, Transportation Security Officers will now have opportunities based on their performance, not longevity or union membership.”

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