Airport security, now with 75% more standing around!

[fatbuckRTO]

TSA workers poised to unionize after labor agreement


Published August 02, 2012

FoxNews.com


Transportation Security Administration workers are poised to unionize after striking a labor agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees.

The agreement follows pushback last year from Republicans on Capitol Hill worried that a big union presence through the TSA ranks could stifle the organization's flexibility in response to security threats.

But supporters of TSA unionization have called these warnings unrealistic.

AFGE announced the agreement with TSA workers in a brief statement Thursday morning.

The agreement now goes to nearly 45,000 workers for approval.

TSA bosses last year granted workers the ability to collectively bargain.

Under the plan, TSA screeners would be prohibited from striking, just like other federal employees.

The National Treasury Employees Union had competed against AFGE to represent the TSA workers.




http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/08/02/tsa-workers-poised-to-unionize-after-labor-agreement/#ixzz22U940bkl

[Smittie61984]

Okay, I've heard some news items but I'm not sure if they are true, that some airports are kicking out the TSA and hiring their own private security. I didn't think they could do that but if so then this would be a great thing. Because if so, shit is going to get so bad that all the airports (except Atlanta I'm sure) will kick these assholes out and hire their own private companies and suddenly shit will be much better.

[askmrjesus]

Okay, I've heard some news items but I'm not sure if they are true, that some airports are kicking out the TSA and hiring their own private security. I didn't think they could do that but if so then this would be a great thing. Because if so, shit is going to get so bad that all the airports (except Atlanta I'm sure) will kick these assholes out and hire their own private companies and suddenly shit will be much better.

I don't think it will make any difference. Private firms will still have to operate under Homeland guidelines.

Private firms would also probably hire ex-TSA, since they have experience, but they'd get paid less.

Now you have the same people, enforcing the same rules, with even worse attitudes than they had already.

Result: Shit gets worse.

JC

[fatbuckRTO]

I don't think it will make any difference. Private firms will still have to operate under Homeland guidelines.

JC

I dunno. Personally, I think a lot of the incidents with TSA workers stem from their "I'm a mofrackin 'federal agent'" syndrome. That, and the perceived job security in working for the federal government (which will compound exponentially once they're unionized). Maybe private firms will actually need to respect their customers.

[OneSickPsycho]

I don't think it will make any difference. Private firms will still have to operate under Homeland guidelines.

Private firms would also probably hire ex-TSA, since they have experience, but they'd get paid less.

Now you have the same people, enforcing the same rules, with even worse attitudes than they had already.

Result: Shit gets worse.

JC

Not necessarily. Higher/lower pay doesn't necessarily impact attitude that much... Plus I'm not so sure they'd be paid less.

From what I hear the private security at airports have better training and less cost due to simple efficiency. The TSA employs the same amount of people 24/7/365, without any focus on peak/valley times... The private companies save because they watch this...

[derf]

Okay, I've heard some news items but I'm not sure if they are true, that some airports are kicking out the TSA and hiring their own private security. I didn't think they could do that but if so then this would be a great thing. Because if so, shit is going to get so bad that all the airports (except Atlanta I'm sure) will kick these assholes out and hire their own private companies and suddenly shit will be much better.

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/senate-passes-bill-letting-private-companies-take-/nHXJR/

[askmrjesus]

Motherfuckers be gangin' up on me. ::lol:

I dunno. Personally, I think a lot of the incidents with TSA workers stem from their "I'm a mofrackin 'federal agent'" syndrome. That, and the perceived job security in working for the federal government (which will compound exponentially once they're unionized). Maybe private firms will actually need to respect their customers.

That will vary with the individual, but I've seen that same attitude from mall cops and the guys who direct parking traffic at the fair. Give a guy a flashlight, all of a sudden he's Elliot fucking Ness.

Not necessarily. Higher/lower pay doesn't necessarily impact attitude that much... Plus I'm not so sure they'd be paid less.

From what I hear the private security at airports have better training and less cost due to simple efficiency. The TSA employs the same amount of people 24/7/365, without any focus on peak/valley times... The private companies save because they watch this...

You get laid off from a job, and then rehired for the same job, for less money? No impact on attitude? Not buying it.

They would be paid less in the beginning, making them even worse insufferable bastards, then they would form a Union anyway, making them
almost impossible to fire insufferable bastards.

On your last point, I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if Homeland requires a certain number of personnel on hand at all times. Not that that makes any sense, but...

JC

[Smittie61984]

...The TSA employs the same amount of people 24/7/365, without any focus on peak/valley times... The private companies save because they watch this...

I remember that. I was stuck on a flight from ATL that got held over for 4 hours due to shitters not working. When they finally cancelled the flight at 2am I had to walk back 1 mile since the they didn't operate the airport train at 2am (which they constantly reminded you over a intercom). But when walking by the security I noticed a shit ton of TSA workers chilling at security and couldn't figure out why. Which here is the flight traffic of the world's busiest airport at 2am.
https://p.twimg.com/Ayd7H0LCAAAL89C.jpg:large

If ATL was ran by a private firm they would have noticed 400 people needing to go 1 mile to get to the exit and ran the train. And there would be only a handful of TSA agents at security.

[fatbuckRTO]

Give a guy a flashlight, all of a sudden he's Elliot fucking Ness.:lol

Fair enough. But I tend to think TSA workers see themselves more as Gandalf facing down the Balrog.

...

Gimmee a break, I just watched the extended edition Fellowship of the Ring last weekend...

[OneSickPsycho]

You get laid off from a job, and then rehired for the same job, for less money? No impact on attitude? Not buying it.

They would be paid less in the beginning, making them even worse insufferable bastards, then they would form a Union anyway, making them
almost impossible to fire insufferable bastards.

On your last point, I don't know. I wouldn't be surprised if Homeland requires a certain number of personnel on hand at all times. Not that that makes any sense, but...

JC


Again, not entirely sure they'd make less and it's likely that it would be negligable if they did. Even so, I'm sure there'd be more restrictions on attitude and treating people in the private system vs the government run one. All those articles about TSA agents doing ridiculous shit... how many times have we read that they were disciplined? Never... you bet your ass you'd get further with the private company.

[Homeslice]

TSA bosses last year granted workers the ability to collectively bargain.

Under the plan, TSA screeners would be prohibited from striking, just like other federal employees.

Am I missing something here?

1) They already obtained the right to bargain.
2) They can't strike even if they unionize

So WTF is the benefit of unionizing? So they can pay hefty dues like a chump?

[Smittie61984]

Am I missing something here?

1) They already obtained the right to bargain.
2) They can't strike even if they unionize

So WTF is the benefit of unionizing? So they can pay hefty dues like a chump?

It's so they can collect the dues and then donate collectively to a political figure who will return the favor by giving them rediculous benefits and pay raises. They'll basically be barganing with themselves.