TSA and The Looming Threat Of Forced Unionization
By Katie Gage
12/1/2010
In spite of having its forced unionization agenda rejected just a few, short weeks ago, the Obama Administration refuses to take no for an answer. It is continuing its push to unionize whatever industry it can, wherever it can, whenever it can get away with it. The most recent target is the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Despite bipartisan warnings from elected officials and industry experts, the White House appears more interested in rewarding union bosses than advancing the security of hardworking, everyday Americans. And the effort to “payback” Big Labor at the expense of travelers doesn’t stop with the TSA.
Just last week, Big Labor continued its efforts to unionize Delta Airlines, something they’ve been salivating over since its merger with unionized Northwest Airlines. However, Delta’s workers continue to vote against unionization, despite the union-friendly National Mediation Board’s (NMB) rule change upending almost a century of precedent regarding workplace elections in the airline and railroad industries. In spite of the pro-union boss, anti-worker policy passed by the NMB, the workers at Delta Airlines have voted against forming a union eight separate times.
Still unwilling to take “no” for an answer, labor bosses are now appealing to their friends at the NMB to force unionization on Delta’s workers, while at the same time trying to unionize the security personnel whose jobs have been in the headlines this holiday travel season.
Just recently, another Federal agency – namely the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) – decided that labor bosses can campaign to unionize TSA staffers.
Really? Does this make sense to anyone? A country with unionized airline workers could be detrimental to our security as well as our economy. With new TSA regulations being enforced, leading to large public debate over pat downs and full body scanners, the looming threat of TSA unionization only adds to the concerns Americans will have about the future of air travel.
The TSA must be able to respond quickly and decisively to any and all threats presented ensuring the safety of its cargo (i.e. us). Instead, unionizing this Federal agency will essentially give union bosses veto authority over our security. Any changes in operations will need to be approved by Big Labor, in the process, leaving American citizens exposed, assuming the changes in protocol are even sanctioned by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and/or National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).
A unionized TSA could also mean that these agents would be funneling large amounts of dues to the political spending machine that is Big Labor. Having spent hundreds of millions of dollars to elect President Obama, advance his agenda and promote union-friendly Members of Congress, Big Labor is constantly looking for new ways to increase its dwindling numbers and replenish its empty coffers. By infiltrating a government division such as the TSA, Big Labor will be gaining even greater footing within the government, while also receiving dues from more of its employees.
So, not only are our tax dollars going to union bosses who in turn use them to elect their supporters and punish their opponents, but our safety is put at risk at the same time. These are the very same short-sighted, special-interest awards Americans rejected on November 2nd, yet in span of less than a month, the message seems lost upon the intended recipients.
With Big Labor’s number one priority – the job-killing Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act (EFCA) – shelved, desperation has set in and a wild power grab has commenced. The last thing our nation’s security needs is to be entangled in the web of Big Labor’s self-serving, anti-democratic agenda.
The TSA is facing enough challenges without the added dangers of forced unionization. The Obama Administration can and should do better. The American people are watching.
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To read another article by Katie Gage, click here.
1 comment:
I am not in favor unions, but this article seems not to understand even the basic levels of labor law.
First federal employees have to first vote on a union, which the FLRA just set up the election. One option is always "no union" (as in the case with the airline). So its not exactly "forced unionization."
Secondly, even if they vote for a union, employees never are required to pay dues. They will serve under the bargained contract, but never have to give on red cent to a union.
Third, union dues - while they can be used to lobby - cannot be used for any elections activities.
Anyway, getting on the federal unions is fine, but it would be nice if one of the so-called-conservatives paid any attention to the government contractors, who are even more costly and about 3-4 times the size of the official federal workforce.
Contractors are just smart and rich enough to support the campaigns of both parties.
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