January 26, 2010

NTEU on the Airwaves National Public Radio (NPR) aired an interview today focusing on NTEU's call for improved working conditions at TSA and the need for union representation, collective bargaining rights and higher pay for TSA employees. NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley, Chapter 330 (TSA Washington National) Interim President Keith Donaldson and Steward Anthony Hutchison met with NPR Reporter Brian Naylor to discuss the important homeland security role played by the TSA workforce, the employees' dedication to the agency's mission and how union representation could help improve current pay and working conditions.

Members Sound Off on Unfair PSE Tests
The reviews are in for the latest round of PSE testing and they are dismal.

Following an NTEU TSA Update report last week about poor testing protocols, members wrote in highlighting a lack of training opportunities, subjective PSE standards, incomplete or inaccurate testing instructions and a lack of neutral test observers at airports from coast to coast.

"I believe the training is being run unfairly and the (PSE) testing is subjective," said an NTEU TSA member at Mineta San Jose International Airport discussing unavailable training opportunities for TSA employees airportwide. "I have been a lead TSO for three years and received a whole $250 bonus for my 2009 performance," he said.

Others said the entire concept of an annual performance test without recurrent training was flawed. "How can a screener be aptly tested for a whole year's performance in a one-hour block?" asked an employee at Charleston (S.C.) International Airport.

NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley addressed member concerns in a recent letter to TSA Acting Administrator Gale D. Rossides requesting changes to the current PSE testing system.

Saying that "high failure rates do not accurately reflect the competency of exceptional screeners," President Kelley made several key recommendations that could improve the agency's PSE testing procedures, such as ensuring the presence of neutral third-party observers to help minimize disputes over rating scores.

If you have a question or concern about PSE protocols at your airport, contact your local NTEU representative, call toll free 1-866-591-5735 or e-mail TSA@nteu.org.

NTEU is ready and willing to help. If you have questions, call toll free 1-866-591-5735 or e-mail TSA@nteu.org. Spread the word. Subscribe to our TSA Update. It’s free and keeps TSA employees informed about important issues. Sign up for your own copy here.

NTEU’s Mission: To organize federal employees to work together to ensure that every federal employee is treated with dignity and respect.

The NTEU TSA Update is a periodic electronic newsletter published by the National Treasury Employees Union for TSA employees. To subscribe or change your e-mail preferences, visit the NTEU TSA Update subscription page.