Workers Sue TSA Over TSA Gold+, Claim ‘Secretive Push’ of New Program
The union representing 47,000 Transportation Security Administration workers is suing TSA.
The lawsuit is looking to force the release of records regarding the expansion of privatized security screening at airports, a new program known as TSA Gold+.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents TSA officers at more than 400 U.S. airports, filed the lawsuit Aug. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The union claims the agency’s “secretive push” for the public-private partnership took place without formal disclosure, according to the complaint. The lawsuit alleges the agency missed the statutory deadline for a May Freedom of Information Act request and unlawfully withheld agency records.
“I don’t think it’s any sort of surprise that a union and AFGE would be concerned about the privatization of federal jobs, that we think is wrong,” AFGE General Counsel Rushab Sanghvi told USA TODAY. “But I think this is even worse than something the American public should be concerned about because they’re pushing through this privatization effort sort of in the shadows without much information to the public.”
The AFGE claims it found out about the new program “by accident,” when a flyer was found at Orlando International Airport in April.
TSA did not respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.
“This lawsuit is a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, so we hope to get the information we ask for that they’re legally required to provide us. And we believe that it’s going to show that they’re not doing this in a lawful way, right?” Sanghvi said.
What Is TSA Gold+?
Around 20 airports already use privatized screening under the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). In a statement to USA TODAY in May, TSA called TSA Gold+ “the next evolution” of SPP, offering airports the opportunity to opt into a partnership with a third-party contractor for a tailored security screening service overseen by the federal agency.
“This approach encourages private investment, accelerates technological innovation and enhances the passenger experience while maintaining the highest levels of security and insulating frontline operations from federal budget uncertainty,” the agency said.
The most recent government shutdown, which lasted about 75 days, led to long queues and left 61,000 TSA officers working without pay.
The three airports set to implement TSA Gold+ next year are Charleston International Airport, Tampa International Airport and Des Moines International Airport.
A Tampa International Airport spokesperson told USA TODAY that its choice to implement TSA Gold+ is intended to reduce disruption risks from funding lapses during shutdowns.
Concerns About Pay and Safety
The union said it is concerned not only about the lack of transparency around TSA Gold+, but also about having for-profit companies control security screenings and the effects on public safety and TSA officers’ job security.
Chris Finlay—president of the AFGE Local 556 chapter, which includes Tampa, and a TSA worker of more than 20 years—said he’s seen previous transitions to privatization undercut pay or other benefits, such as a pension plan or 401(k) match.
“The biggest part of the private contract is going to be staffing. That’s the most expensive part,” Finlay said. “And when you’re trying to cut costs, where do you think you’re going to pull the money from? Staffing.”
In July, the agency said TSA officers will have the first right of refusal for jobs with the private vendors. These companies will also be required to provide comparable pay and benefits.
“We continue to push to make sure that our airports are safe and that our federal employees, the people who work at TSA at the airport, many of whom are veterans, are treated with respect, and they’re not replaced with poorly paid jobs that are going to impair public safety,” Sanghvi said.
Reporting by Kathleen Wong, USA TODAY. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
