AFA President Condemns Elimination of TSA Collective Bargaining Rights

Flight Attendant Union Criticizes Removal of TSA Collective Bargaining Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 7, 2025) — The President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Sara Nelson, has voiced strong opposition to the recent decision to abolish collective bargaining rights for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees. Nelson, representing 55,000 flight attendants across 20 different airlines, emphasized the detrimental impact such a move could have on aviation security and overall travel safety.

Nelson remarked, "The decision to eliminate collective bargaining rights for TSA is terrible for aviation security and everyone who depends on safe travel. This will take us back to the days of security at the lowest price with the highest costs for our country. Our safety depends on good jobs that attract the best candidates and the ability of the people on the frontlines of aviation security to raise concerns without fear of retaliation."

She further criticized the administration's actions, stating, "Let’s be clear: this Administration does not care about safety, efficiency, or homeland security. This and the illegal firings of thousands of federal employees is an unprecedented attack on workers’ rights and our government as a whole."

According to Nelson, union representation has been crucial in making the position of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) a competitive and sustainable career. She pointed out that union efforts have been key in slowing attrition, attracting new candidates, and maintaining a high level of applicants. She warned that removing collective bargaining rights would undermine these achievements and jeopardize security.

She also connected this decision to broader cuts in other government agencies, suggesting a trend towards privatization that could have far-reaching consequences. "This move by the White House should be viewed in the same context as massive cuts underway at the Veterans Administration, the Department of Education, and other agencies. These efforts are designed to break these agencies in order to justify privatizing their functions to send more cash to Wall Street while the rest of us pay the price," Nelson explained.

She urged the public, unions, and airline passengers to demand the protection of the TSA workers' collective bargaining rights, warning against the consequences of privatizing TSA functions. "Privatizing TSA would return us to the failed pre-9/11 system of for-profit security screening. That system, with underpaid and understaffed airport screeners, was a key flaw in the system that allowed the 9/11 attacks to take place. Since 9/11 we have committed to 'Never Forget' and this Administration must understand just how seriously we mean it."

The Association of Flight Attendants has been a leading voice in advancing the profession for over 79 years, advocating for improved wages, benefits, and working conditions for its 55,000 members. For more information, visit www.afacwa.org.