The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to discontinue collective bargaining for Transportation Security Officers. The move is intended to address staffing issues within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
According to the DHS, this decision comes in response to findings that 86 percent of airports have more TSA employees performing “full-time union work” than conducting screening duties. Currently, out of 432 airports, 374 have fewer than 200 TSA officers qualified to perform screening tasks.
DHS states that full-time staff participating in union matters often do not maintain the certification necessary for screening operations. This reallocation of resources has hindered the TSA’s primary objective of securing transportation systems across the country.
According to a spokesman, the decision is part of broader efforts to revive merit-based employment policies, which are anticipated to foster productivity among Transportation Security Officers.
The move is just the latest development in President Donald J. Trump’s massive overhaul of the federal government. Trump, along with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has already reportedly saved taxpayers billions of dollars.