TSA says rule change is meant to keep officers ‘alert’, but union says it ignores safety and ‘common decency’
US airport security officers who verify boarding passes and IDs ahead of security checkpoints will no longer be allowed to sit down while working.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was moving forward with this change in policy to keep officers “alert”, the agency confirmed recently.
The American Federation of Government Employees Council (AFGEC), the union representing TSA officers, pushed back on this decision and said in a statement that it was not involved in the decision.
“These chairs serve as basic ergonomic and safety support for officers that stand and walk on hard surfaces all day,” the union added. “TSA is treating this matter like it is a privilege – it is not; it is basic safety and common decency for the workforce.”
Additionally, the union is calling the TSA’s move a “disregard for employee rights and safety”.
TSA are as alert as their paycheck dictates. I told both TSA and CBP that I was attending a meeting for three weeks, so my tourist visa was fine. It was an obvious lie, and they obviously didn’t care. (It was before I got my C1/D).
“Business and meetings” is the magic phrase for when you haven’t gotten around to sorting out a work visa before hand. Take away their chair or any other source of work place comfort, and chances are they’ll care even less.