Federal union fires back at Trump administration with lawsuit over terminated TSA bargaining rights. Secretary Noem’s controversial move to end the seven-year contract affects around 50,000 airport security officers.
At a glance:
- The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has sued DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for ending a collective bargaining agreement
- The union claims Noem lacks authority to terminate the seven-year contract signed during the Biden administration
- AFGE accuses the Trump administration of retaliating against them for previous lawsuits
- DHS claims the union doesn’t represent TSA workers and that more officers do union work than screen passengers
- The lawsuit alleges violations of the First and Fifth Amendments and the Administrative Procedures Act
Trump Administration Revokes TSA Union Rights
The Department of Homeland Security has taken decisive action to terminate collective bargaining rights for approximately 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers. The move, signed off by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, effectively ends a seven-year agreement that was established during the Biden administration.
The decision has prompted immediate legal action from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which filed a lawsuit challenging Secretary Noem’s authority to cancel the contract. The union’s legal challenge sets the stage for a potentially serious clash between the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline government operations and organized labor’s push to maintain worker protections.
Union Claims Retaliation and Contract Violation
AFGE argues that the termination represents more than just a policy disagreement, but rather constitutes unlawful retaliation for the union’s previous legal actions against the government. According to the lawsuit, the decision violates both constitutional rights and established administrative law procedures.
“The 2024 CBA has a term of seven years and allows limited midterm bargaining. This collective bargaining agreement, like any other, is a binding contract,” the union stated in its legal filing.
The Department of Homeland Security has defended its position by claiming that the union does not truly represent TSA workers. DHS officials have further alleged that at most airports, more officers are engaged in union activities than in their primary duty of screening passengers, though AFGE strongly disputes this.
Broader Context of Federal Worker Rights
The situation highlights the unique position of TSA employees within the federal workforce, as they have historically lacked the full Title 5 rights to collective bargaining that other federal employees enjoy. The Biden administration had moved to extend these rights to TSA workers in 2021, setting up the current conflict with the Trump administration.
Some Republican lawmakers support the administration’s move, saying it is necessary to ensure airport security operations remain efficient and focused on their primary mission. Meanwhile, Democratic legislators, including Rep. Bennie Thompson and Sen. Brian Schatz, have introduced legislation that would formally align TSA employees’ rights with those of other federal workers.
