Why Senator Jim Demint is Right to Challenge TSA Unions
by Liberty ChickOn Christmas Day, what was intended to be a far worse terrorist attack was narrowly thwarted, thanks to the prudence and bravery of a handful of airline passengers and flight crew. No one knows yet how Nigerian terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (aka “Farouk1986″) made it past every airport security checkpoint, with bomb materials literally strapped to his groin, and boarded a Northwest Airlines flight ultimately headed for Detroit. Nor does anyone know how the 23-year old made it onto one watch list but not the no-fly list.
But the now infamous PantyBomber incident has since sparked a heated debate over workers in the Transportation Security Administration that has both Democrats and Republicans fuming, and labor unions chomping at the bit to wage a war of an entirely different kind.
In October, 2008, then candidate Obama wrote a letter to John Gage, President of the American Federation of Government Employees union, promising collective bargaining rights to TSA workers and vowing to make it a priority for his administration.
The critical tone of Obama’s letter was directed at lawmakers who’d voted down attempts to legislate mandatory collective bargaining in the 2001 Aviation and Transportation Security Act that created the TSA, and again in 2007 when another mandatory provision was tucked into the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act.
After the news of the incident continued breaking and more details emerged, the focus shifted to the immediate measures TSA would take to increase airport security. This of course opened up broader discussion about longer-term security measures and scrutiny of current TSA procedures, among other issues. But lying just beneath the surface were a lot of raw nerves and an animosity that’s still harbored there. So it wasn’t surprising when the national conversation quickly progressed to the politicizing of the stalled confirmation of Erroll Southers, President Obama’s pick to head the TSA, who coincidentally is now under duress. But a bold Senator Jim Demint (R-SC) spoke out to address the real issue at hand – collective bargaining rights for over 45,000 TSA security officers and the potential impact on homeland security. Others may accuse Demint of partisan politics, but when it comes to standing up for the security of America, Demint is arguing the same point he did in 2007, and others before him did in 2001. Agree with it or not, it is a valid point that some Americans are sincerely concerned about; therefore, it deserves debate and shouldn’t be dismissed as political partisanship.
Let’s clarify what’s up for debate.
First, is the issue of collective bargaining vs. the right to join a union. Many news reports have stated for years that this is about denying workers their right to join a union. That is false. Today, Transportation Security Officers (TSOs), the screeners at the airports, ARE permitted to voluntarily join a union. About 12,000 TSA workers already belong to the American Federation of Government Employees union (AFGE) . They are represented, at their request, by a union representative in grievance procedures and job safety complaints. The TSA will also withhold union dues for an employee, if he so chooses.
The only thing TSOs are not currently permitted to have through their union is a collective bargaining agreement – a written contract that legally binds the TSA to specific wages, hours of work, assigned responsibilities and procedures, and union rules. Many argue that subjecting the TSA to advance negotiating of procedure or duty changes would impair the TSA’s ability to flexibly respond to emergencies and security threats. Last week’s incident with the PantyBomber should be example enough the concern is a valid one, as it prompted the TSA to implement on the spot several security measures not previously in place and to increase screenings, which in turn required flexibility in procedures and in TSA workers.
Leaders of both the AFGE and the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) dismissed the idea that collective bargaining would impede upon TSA’s emergency response capabilities.
“Every union contract with federal agencies recognizes management’s right to assign and detail workers as necessary,” Colleen Kelley, President of NTEU, said in a 2007 letter to senators. “Management flexibility in times of crisis is set in statute.”
Secondly, there is the issue of the compensation plan for TSOs. President Obama has called the PASS system “flawed” and said he would consider moving TSOs to the General Schedule (GS) system. TSOs are on a pay-for-performance compensation plan (called PASS at TSA), in which pay increases and incentives are tied to merit and individual work performance (similar to 75% of private sector companies), versus on seniority and length of service. It was established this way intentionally when the TSA was created in 2001. This is intended to motivate more workers to perform to a higher individual standard, which is good for homeland security. TSOs also have a Career Progression Program. There has been a lot of misinformation spread between 2001 and 2009 about the compensation system, when in reality, it is more in line what most businesses have in place today, and has worked well at TSA despite the negative hype from labor unions:
“How does PASS improve security? When you get paid more to do a better job, you do a better job. PASS is targeted to reward excellent performance. That is an incentive to perform at the highest level to which you are capable. PASS rewards the individual performance necessary to achieve TSA’s organizational goals and that increases security.
TSA’s pay-for-performance system is driven by validated data. Its performance metrics are standardized, measurable, observable and almost completely objective. PASS has been adjusted based on feedback from our Officers about what the real job is. Our Officers have told us they want a pay-for-performance system because they know what is at stake: they want to know that their fellow officers are equally competent.”
Testimony of Gale Rossides, Deputy Administrator, TSA
July 22, 2008, Before Senate Committee on Homeland Security and
Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management
Third, is the issue of whether collective bargaining might present challenges to TSA’s ability to efficiently keep America safe. After the 9/11 Commission report was published in 2001 and the panel issued its recommendations, Congress passed the Aviation and Transportation Security Act, which created the TSA the same year. In that legislation, Congress gave the new agency its own authority to decide whether or not to engage in collective bargaining with transportation security officers. In 2007, a new Congress tried to repeal that authority.
While other Department of Homeland Security agencies, such as the Customs and Border Protection, have collective bargaining agreements in place with government unions (AFGE, NTEA), there have been past issues that raise concern for Americans and lawmakers.
“The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), for example, brought the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before an arbitrator after the CBP unilaterally changed policies without collectively negotiating first. The arbitrator found that the CBP should have provided the NTEU with notice and the opportunity to bargain before the CBP made its changes, such as the Port of Houston reassigning officers to the Bush International Airport and the Port of New Orleans implementing a new master schedule.”
Collective Bargaining for Airport Screeners Is Unnecessary and Bad for National Security,
The Heritage Foundation, James Sherk
After additional research and consultation, the TSA therefore concluded at that time that it felt collective bargaining would impair its ability to be flexible and to act immediately in response to security threats, and it opted against it. However, TSOs are permitted to voluntarily join a union, as explained earlier.
- In 2007, at issue specifically was a provision that was tucked away deep inside the Homeland Security bills. The provision repealed the prior authority of the TSA chief to decide collective bargaining for TSOs at his discretion. In its place was a new provision requiring the TSA to collectively bargain with TSOs. Because of the provision, there was a veto threat; ultimately, it was the House version that passed, which did so without the provision.
- This past July 2009, the House Homeland Security Committee approved HR 1881, the Transportation Security Workforce Enhancement Act of 2009, which again reintroduced similar language. Sponsored in the House by Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY18), the new bill would mandate collective bargaining rights for more than 45,000 federal airport screeners. It would also abolish their current pay-for-performance compensation structure and change it instead to the General Schedule pay system. The bill was placed on a calendar of business, where it has been awaiting a vote or further action.
In recent years, reports have been issued by labor unions with an interest in winning collective bargaining rights, challenging the TSA attrition rates and treatment of its workers. TSA has since issued its own reports on these, so it’s difficult to know which is accurate. Testimony to Congress in 2007 revealed that some of these claims were not entirely accurate, could have been misleading or in some cases may not have been presented fairly because the labor unions left out latter years of data that showed TSA management and performance improvement since the first few years of the TSA’s inception.
At the same time, if complaints from TSA employees are in fact submitted at a high rate, there is evidence of management abuse or poor working conditions, and/or the workers attrition rate is unusually high, then we would expect Congress to investigate this and conduct an independent review by a party without a vested interest in a potential collective bargaining arrangement. No one wants to see any workers mistreated or not afforded the basic rights that even non union employees in the private sector receive.
Lastly, there is the anecdotal and documented evidence and the concern of the public. Given the increasingly aggressive tactics of several labor unions, which has been widely documented (and even analyzed) in the last several years, many American citizens have voiced their concerns to their Congressional representatives and Senators that union leaders might encourage members to behave in a hostile manner in an effort to intimidate airport customers and/or TSA management. Many constituents have written letters to this effect, stating concerns that such behavior would not only be a disruption, but in itself could present a security risk. Pointing also to the examples of violence committed by SEIU members against conservative activists on two occasions this past summer, and violence between SEIU and competing labor unions, some are concerned that disputes among competing labor unions or among advocacy groups could also interfere with homeland security duties. Recent disputes have shut down hospitals, blocked Red Cross blood deliveries, and spawned labor union corporate campaigns * against private and public facilities. We also know that AFGE and NTEU have already made their intentions known to challenge one another for exclusive collective bargaining rights to TSA employees. Perhaps these unions are fine, perhaps they are different from the many we’ve all been affected by this year. But this, some fear, could have disruptive impacts on their union member workplaces, especially if a third union in particular decides to jump into the race. All of these issues are of great concern to average American citizens, who worry that homeland security is too important to risk.
For these reasons, many are hoping that those politicians in favor of passing HR 1881, or other legislation that would mandate collective bargaining for TSA employees, will at least afford the American people a general public debate on this topic. Dismissing Senator Demint is dismissing We the People. It’s time our lawmakers stopped dismissing the voices of their constituents as “astroturf” and started believing that the voices they’re hearing in their heads are actually real – they’re just the voices coming from outside your door.
* Also see:
- Federal Anti-Trust Class Action Lawsuits Claim Hospitals Conspired to Depress Registered Nurse Wages (Jackson Lewis)
- RICO Suite: Employers Fight Back Against Union Smear Campaigns (Capital Research Center)
- SEIU Ramps Up Campaign Against Bank of America and CEO
- Corporate Campaigns: Labor’s Tactic of The “Death of A Thousand Cuts” (Capital Research Center)
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193 Comments
There shall be NO union for TSA. We cannot have incompetents protecting incompetents and fools in a government agency responsible for the nation's transportation security.
Government employees should not be allowed to unionize and picket their employers, We the People.
Sad that pay-for-performance is an oxymoron in government service. Unions would just politicize the TSA, making it easy to imagine the treatment for us so-called wingnuts.
Our politicians in washington do not care about the safety of the american citizens. they just want whatever and whereever the money will produce so they can fill their own political machine for reelection. we as citizens are less safe now more than ever. they all need to be handed pink slips. time for term limits for congress.
Why shouldn't the TSA unionize. I mean, look what teacher's unions have done for the quality and efficiency of public school education.
Oh…wait.
No unions for government workers, not now, not ever. If the employee is not motivated to do the best job to his or her ability; out you go. This "promise" is just another cozy political shake down and protection racket for money and votes. "You scratch mine and I'll scratch yours". It's another SEIU/Acorn style conspiracy so the taxpayer gets stuck with the bill, AGAIN.
This is not the Union States of America!
Good on Sen Demint.
Where are the rest of the Repub Senators?
wow. yes why would a person want freedom, freedom in the workplace? why would a worker deserve rights when they are on the job?
ya know, while you all are asking for limited government, why don't we limit everything else. How about limited corporate power? How about we stop a limited amount of the population from controlling and owning the majority of the population's wealth? All you "anti-big government" people want is the freedom to use and abuse anything and everything to benefit your own motivations. If you all relinquish the oppressive power of corporations/employers, then maybe we "pro-United States Government" people will compromise on "horrible government spending".
And liberty chick, your post the other day about how state spending has destroyed Michigan and California and the other states listed was totally clueless. Those states used to have a large private sector. Yet, thanks to Ronald Reagan, he destroyed those employers and helped them move out of the country and then he spent billions in defense money in other states and now those states are weathering the depression he created. So those states survive because of gov't spending and the true "free market" private sector states are the ones to crash. You should try moving to Michigan if it's so wonderful and such a land of opportunity. Thanks to Ronald Reagan, he has totally crushed this state.
ashame your mother didn't believe in "Pro Choice" …..you might then feel better about yourself had she elected to……abort.
[...] Terrorism on Their Watch The Weekly Standard, Permanent Vacation Liberty Chick, Big Government: Why Senator Jim DeMint is Right to Challenge TSA Unions Democratic Underground, White House Adviser Briefed in October on Underwear Bomb Technique [...]
I have a trip Planned to California this coming year. I WILL NOT FLY ! ! I'll take the train or a bus or maybe drive my car. It may cost me more, but I'll be a lot safer. Don't trust the Government anymore. It has become a failed institution. I'm responsible for my own safety, and I'll will do what is right to protect myself.
the "only limits" that we need in this country aside from limited government are limits to liberal trolls who venture over from HuffPo and the like.
[...] Says Terrorist Suspect Aided Onto Northwest Flight Sans Passport Liberty Chick, Big Government: Why Senator Jim DeMint is Right to Challenge TSA Unions VotingFemale Speaks!: Al Qaeda tampon bombs and sanitary napkin bombs and Obama’s PC costs in [...]
Dude, look…
I have freedom in my workplace.
I have the freedom to negotiate my wage & health care plan.
If I don't like what my employer is offering I'm FREE to go negotiate a better deal with someone else.
If my employer does not like the terms they are FREE to look somewhere else.
I don't need the entire bureaucracy of the US Government or anyone else to get involved.
Why can't you people understand that I don't want or need your help?
What an idiot. Your rant is so full of untruths and bullshit it's not even worth a fisking. I will point out however that it's your precious union-Democrat alliance which has destroyed Michigan, shitforbrains.
But it your ignorant diatribe demonstrate why it is Americans hate leftists' guts.
Go away, little troll
they shaking hands and making new friends and filling their pockets with money. They care only about re-election, not this country. They have no passion and their tactics are that of fools. The republicans are nothing more than the allies of the democrats. They are both government parties squabbling over their cut of the money.
Look, Washington doesn't need to listen to me. I'm not all that well educated but, I can't believe they are dumb enough to do the things they do out of "lack of understanding the problem" or "not realizing what they're doing" so …. they must be doing all of this damage to our country on purpose. I've stopped caring why they do it. If it's actual cash in their pockets or payback to unions or other special interest, it no longer matters. We need to get this next one right. We sure missed last time. No more John McCain and Dede What's-her-name types.
Maybe American children can form a union to get relief from parental rights. Parents have been running roughshod over children ever since the beginning of man. And the time for change is now.
God Bless America.
(Soros…rot in hell)
Most government employees are already unionized.
[...] Terrorism on Their Watch The Weekly Standard, Permanent Vacation Liberty Chick, Big Government: Why Senator Jim DeMint is Right to Challenge TSA Unions Democratic Underground, White House Adviser Briefed in October on Underwear Bomb Technique [...]
Just one more way the government is trying to control EVERYTHING we do!! I would never fly if the government is in charge..!! My God! Look at what they have done with the other things they are 'in charge' of! I can just imagine the trolls they would hire to secure the airports! All illegals, I'm sure!!!
A BIG part of the paradigm shift to the left is MASSIVE UNIONIZATION of incompetant fools like these people. It skews the pay scale UPWARD (see the Postal Service) and protects idiots from being turned out to find work more suited to their "talents".
The #1 VISITOR to the Obama White House is the criminal from S.E.I.U.
That should tell us something about what's wrong with this picture.
You can't afford to fly, you twit
They have you idiots, the ones who would most benefit from a union…. against unions. You guys are so stupid it makes my hair hurt!!
You sound like an idiot. The Dems have owned Michigan for decades. Union demands, taxes, no jobs, high crime. Typical Dem state. CA used to be a great state until the Dems took over. Now we have illegal immigration that has bankrupted hospitals, crowded our schools and roads, increased crime. Businesses and families are leaving in droves due to the above and high taxes. Sen. Boxer and Feinstein just put another 30,000-40,000 farmers out of work to protect a tiny fish not even indigenous to the area that is being caught in droves in the MW, all because they get huge donations from the environmental lobbies.
Protect the Unions not the American Public
It's the OBO-mao way
And unions should be limited to the place of employment and not allowed to form a national backbone. When unions become this big they are as oppressive to the individual as the government.
Wow !!! As a Michigander all my 52 yrs I'm amazed at what so many have to say about my state. Firstly, ep3 in Michigan has to face reality and stop blaming Reagan…come on… get real!!!. Have you ever heard of NAFTA? NAFTA came into law in 1994. Mmmm…who was the president then…Regan, of course not, it was our wonder boy Bill Clinton. NAFTA was his handy work… his brain child. For God sake why don't you open a book and read a little history before you decide to write. If anyone really wants to learn about the downfall of the Michigan economy perhaps a quick review of Michigan’s tax laws of the last decade will help one understand. And by the way, I work at a place that made me join a union, I had no choice. I work with people that our being protected by the union simply because they been paying union dues through EFT. If the unions want to win the American public perhaps they (the unions) should protect those who can do their job with conviction, integrity and skill and not the ability to pay dues through an EFT. No manager I know now or had known discharges an employee that brings to the work place the aforedmention.
Which chapter are you, LOCAL 001 of the United Dumbasses;Crooks, Idiots and Thugs Of the Union States of America?
How can we stop it? They, as we keep seeing, have the votes?
[...] Why Senator Jim Demint is Right to Challenge TSA Unions [...]
We need to undo that. Big job, but it HAS to be done.
Why is it when business unionize for example the chamber of commerce nobody complains. They lobby our representatives across this nation to take freedom from the individual and give it to business. When a business can bleed and die for this country then they should have a say equal to REAL person until then never. Business can not exist with out government only trade between people can. Business should never be allowed to work together to steal freedom from a person.
So, you'd rather work for a crooked labor boss who is getting paid off for letting Big Biz cheat you?
This never happend during BUSH's watch after 9/11. Husseins attempt to protect the Andy Stern and the Unions are putting the American people in danger.
When was the last time the Chamber of Commerce shut down an industry that was vital to our National Security?
Unions are the problem from the get go…. what if they don't get what they want ?
Walkouts ?
Stripe search little old Ladies with a flash lite?
One day if some Plane does have another Panty Bomber & he succeeds, does airliner & relatives of the dead SUE the Unions ????? I would……
Let's see, all the bombers are Muslim. Instead of repulsive profiling of Muslim males, let's segregate them all on separate planes, with Muslim pilots. With hajib stewardesses and halel food, they still would piss and moan. "I want the plane to face East when I pray, turn this thing around or I'll put a Jihad on you. I see no better way to stop it, in the case of airline flight. Only half tongue in cheek here.
they just demand more money, throw more money at a senator to get their way.. beside when union goes on strike replacment workers can hired in a hurry. I not defending unions I am attacking all unions.
Who is John Gault?
Come on. Born & raised there. I know better. While I was growing up, I thought just about everybody in the U.S.A. had a big enough house, car for every driver, vacation home, snowmobiles and/or motorbikes, pretty much whatever they wanted. I have a lot of relatives that retired out of the 'plants', and some still employed there [can't say working]. UNIONS RUINED MICHIGAN.
I think you need to do some more studying and less blathering.
GEEEEEEEEEE I am trying to remember the company that O rielly complained about that did business with a country that was supplying arms to our enemies. Didn’t fox report how chamber twisted arms of senators to pass the BAILOUTS. The chamber also sued to stop okie land immigration enforcement bill.
Just stopped in to see what the crazies are hallucinating about today.
You did not disappoint.
Did anyone check to see if Abdulmutallab (crotch bomber) was on the list of White House visitors? Idiots. The whole lot of you. Unbelievable ignorance.
So you left out the issue that Republican Senator Demint held up the appointment of the TSA head on this collateral issue. Great way to run a business. The TSA has NO leader, just one who is temporary. It's been a year. Terrorists are trying to kill us. Like a child that doesn't want to play with others, Demint puts a block on the confirmation. (I blame both Repubs and Democrats for this kind of child like behavior – an abuse of advise and consent in the appointment process). Would a major business act like this in searching for a new CEO. Let DeMint argue the issue straight up on unions, not delay new leadership.
WRONG-O!! Washington is REQUIRED to listen to you! Never EVER say otherwise! That is one of the biggest reasons we are in the pile of bovine excrement we are NOW. We the People stopped demanding that they LISTEN TO US!
Way to go DeMInt:
http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article….
http://www.examiner.com/x-15870-Populist-Examiner...
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posted/a...
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/01/01/278...
http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2010/01/terror_i...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/31/world/31offshoo...
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-n...
The price of gas goes up while the price of flights go down. In most cases when the trip is a reasonable enough distance to consider flying, it is actually cheaper to fly.
Thanks for confirming for the 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 time that liberals with no talking points and only attacks are nothing but ignorant children. Here's a cookie, now go away.
I didn't leave it out. Read the article.
Also:
1. Obama didn't even nominate a leader until late September.
2. The current law in the TSA bill from 2001 and 2007 leaves the collective bargaining decision in the hands of the TSA head. Therefore, it is the duty of any lawmaker, Democrat or Republican, to urge the nominee to tell the public what that decision would be. It impacts more than just those workers, it impacts the public.
3. The voting citizens of America each have our district representatives and state senators to represent ALL of the political sides of the spectrum. Not all of the public are liberal Democrats. There are others who are moderate Democrat, Republican, Conservative or Independent, and depend upon their lawmaker to represent their concerns. Many of them have an opinion on collective bargaining for TSA, either in support or in opposition, as the issue impacts the public financially and from a security standpoint. It is not childish to block a confirmation when a process that is supposed to be an open and public debate has been anything but.
I am not a Republican, and Demint is not my Senator, but I can say that I would want my Senator to do the same thing if we were not getting answers to our concerns. (Unfortunately my senators both are polar opposite of my views, so they couldn't care less what I ask of them anyway)
Think about it this way: reverse the situation to the opposite of whatever your own political view is. If you had concerns about certain issues and wanted them to be answered by the nominee (and the nominee had not addressed them), you would be calling your senator and asking him/her to do the same. That's all the article tries to put into perspective.
The entire article is pointless. That is my point.
It's nothing but wingnut propaganda to rile the ignorant.
G.E. Supplying parts through a foreign subsidiary through to Iran. Iran is supplying IED's to kill American G.I.'s.
hateful thumbs that is so sad. ,,,It is terrible for republicans to hate and no debate.. It show the people you are not worth supporting.
ep3;
I lived in Michigan. Delta Township, East of Lansing. It was a mess then, it is a mess now.
I've noticed a lot of that lately, it's one thing to thumb down when its a troll but, not for honest discourse.
and neither party stopped them.. I guess our service members lives and bodies mean nothing to business or the parties. and thus why I am so critical of those who put profit above mens lives.
The Democrats did the same thing with I.C.E. My own Senator in fact, and today she said Demint was "NUTS"
http://bit.ly/8VyfcX Hypocrisy at its worst.
When people have no answers or questions they reach for the hate button. I could be wrong … My mind can be changed, but only through debate. I Had to go through alot of this on lib sites and republicans sites, but in the end it gave other people courage to stand up. The independent movement is growing stronger everyday, but all of our beliefs must be questioned and then answered not through rose colored glasses but by truth and reality, if we are to succeed to returning this country back to the constitution.
My point exactly. Thanks.
It's a known fact that union leaders send union members dues to democrats election camps. Clearly, obamas only motivation is political corruption. These democrats we have, I have to say, most of them are in the employ of tyranny. Of course he wants unionization, he is under the false impression that it is power.
Hey obama, wake up, shake off your narcissism, you are in America now! Remember, this is the last stand for Liberty? What, the anointed one can't be reached, he is having another session in front of the mirror & being in love with ideologue self? & it's going to be a while?
Look to your definitions of tyranny people, this is what he & the rest of them want. & we can't count on any of them hold any value for our Declaration of Independence, & U.S. Constitution. The road to hell now, is paved with tyranny.
if they unionize TSA, the American public should stop flying! I know I will…i
back up all you hot rods. "SOME" govt. employees work their asses off protecting you wah babies, and had not for unions many of those people would have be shafted by totally incompetent affirmative action worthless people……. not all problems are union problems . its the HAVE TO QUOTA UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE THAT ARE FLOODING THE FEDERAL WORK PLACE. IT HAS BE THAT WAY FOR 25+ YEARS. you end up with people 1) that do not give a damn about their jobs,just their pay check. 2) to fire them you have TO over document and then maybe the get demoted one grade,only to be promoted a week later………that is the REAL PROBLEM.
It can be said the arm twisting which chamber bragged about on fox over ruled 2 centuries of American success. I guess it is only the serfs are allowed to fail.
Let's see…Obamadinejad doesn't even appoint him until September, then the nomination sits in a committee controlled by demoncrats for over 2 months, and it's the republicans who are responsible for not have a TSA admin???? The lib-rul mind sure is a funny thing.
This just goes to prove the unions are no longer needed or wanted.. When the unions first came out they were good, Now they are hurting this country. There should be no more unions in the U.S.A.
That's a hell of a statement coming from a tax feeder cop that was granted a monopoly on force by the government.
You are on the right track. What you should think about is why the government should be in charge of security for private companies.
I'm not sure what you mean? I would think that my status would lend credence to my argument.
unions are only the problem because they are granted special favors by government. Government is the real problem.
The right to unionize is a freedom. The right of a company to hire or not to hire union employees should also be a freedom.
That is your right which is just fine. I would caution you that you are at more risk driving than flying though, lol.
No they don't get it. They are so arrogant to think that they know what's best for you and me, republicans included. Government should not provide security for a private industry, nor should they tell you what lightbulbs you should use and how big your water tank should be on your toilet.
Only works as long as they officially declare themselves as Muslim. And many won't. And segregation is hardly the best way to tie American Muslims to the cause, which is an absolute necessity.
Wow, got any PROOF or actual arguments above Ad Hominem?
General Counsel Bob Chanin explains to NEA convention why Big Labor is so powerful – 8,000 union members cheered and clapped loudly: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-piPkgAUo0w&fe...
The TEXT of his speech:
"Despite what some among us would like to believe it is NOT because of our creative ideas; it is NOT because of the merit of our positions; it is NOT because we care about children; and it is NOT because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. The NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have POWER. And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of million of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them; the union that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees." contin…
…Unions: Numbers and Dues = Money and Power! NEA – our kids education under the bus. TSA – passenger safety under the bus. Thanks Mr. DeMint for looking out for the people who actually pay for this crap. We know exactly where unionizing the TSA would take us. They have an agenda and it most certainly isn't our safety! The General Counsel for the NEA, Bob Chanin, has worked for this mammoth Educational Industry Monopoly for 41yrs. his words have clout, therefore money and power istheir priority. Verifyed by the 8,000 delegates applauding those words. My dtrs a teacher in the Bronx, and is NOT willing to fork over her money (our tax dollars), to those parasites. She's coerced into by a law that was politically motivated and unconstitutional to begin with… Bob Chanin uses these same tax dollars to fund like-minded politicians seeking election. They then use our tax money to pay people like (ACORN/SEIU) to ensure their selected candidates get elected,. And when elected they use our money to buy lobbyists, who in turn, proceed to lobby the bought and paid for politicians. We have no say in any of this process – that's called Socialism and unconstitutional. What actually is their agenda?
You worked for a monopoly that was part of the government. That's why I find it hard to believe that you would now question a union or government entity that would potentially be fully unionized.
I'm a former Teamster. You know what kind of crud the Teamsters are noted for being. I had to be a member of the union to have the job I was on. After finding that the company was not paying our benefits some of us filed a grievance against the company. The company made our lives miserable and the union did not back us. Eventually we were out of a job. What I learned from this: Big Business (Company) + Big Business (Union) = Lost job for the little guy that was right! I agree with Buddy!
"No one is questioning Demint challenging TSA unions. What is being challenged, and rightfully so, is Demint jeopardizing national security by blocking the appointment of the head of the TSA."
Well, pray tell me why you didn't just come out and SAY SO to begin with rather than tossing out some random personal attacks, hmm?
"Got it?"
Yes. Perfectly.
"You stupid fuck."
If you cannot tell that your comment has no justification or even the slightest HINT of your grounds for objection, than someone other than myself is the "stupid fuck."
I could also point out that I know a lot of people that make $38-$40 per hour on their union jobs. I'll bet that there are a lot of people wanting jobs today that would be tickled pink if they could put two workers to work making $19 or $20 an hour. More work done with more people working. I believe putting more people to work would be better for the cities and states that are bankrupt today. Are the unions causing this problem? Ask the knucleheads in Michigan, California, Illinois, Chicago, they are governed by Liberals. But they come on here blaming Ronald Reagon? I guess they get what they vote for.
I was never in a Union, never wanted to be and it was illegal were I worked. I do not believe anyone working in Public Safety or National Security should be Unionized. As far as having a monopoly on force, I disagree with you. I have said many times right here on this board, that 911 is only minutes away when seconds count. I believe in the inalienable right of self protection, not just self defense.
contin…Most of this stuff is in alignment with Obama and his Czars, SEIU/ACORN, NEA elected Politicians, and every radical marxist activist out there…It certainly has nothing to do with educating our children. Bob Chanin stated it correctly when he said it wasn't about caring for the children rather it was all about POWER. They forget that they get that POWER with OUR MONEY. These people will continue to vote for politicians who will go to Washington and turn THEIR agenda into federal law. That's not education – it's indoctrination – it's SOCIALISM.
Actually, I believe the equivalent of this has been done to BOA. When Congress and Treasury enacted pay limitations, it limited BOA's ability to find a replacement for their retiring CEO.
I posted the NEA Agenda but I got a message saying the post has to be approved by the site admistrators. My last post looks weird as it was in response to the NEA Agenda. Oh, well.
I'm not a big fan of unions, but I believe it a right to unionize and not be "illegal". However, a company should have the right to hire or not hire union employees as well. But the real problem is that unions get special benefits from government intervention, and like most of the problems it's the government intervention that is the problem.
I will just agree to disagree with you on the monopoly of force. In my opinion, it's as corrupt and bad as the monopoly of the education system.
Well, at least we can agree that Government is the problem. Have a good evening.
So you're blaming the problems of a state that has been steeped in liberal policies for decades and been lead by democrats from the Governors down to mayors for even longer on the presidency of one republican. WOW, how original. If you can't see how Unions, in demanding more and more benefits and pay regardless of the market, are a large part of what forced companies to go abroad in order to stay in business (such as the steel industry) then you've got some serious blinders on.
"if they unionize TSA, the American public should stop flying! I know I will…"
++++++++++
These idiots, like Obama, just don't GET it – do they?! They do not think about consequences and reality – do they?
I can just see TSA employees going on strike during the holidays shutting down all air travel.
I've said it before and I'll say it again…
Unions built the World Trade Center.
Conservative trained and supported terrorists tore it down.
Any questions?
Helping America = Socialism
Helping Iraqis, Mujhadeen, Saudi Arabia = Patriotism
Any questions?
NEA Bob Chanin – ""conservative and right-wing bastards" are "after" the NEA."
NEA Bob Chanin – "rejected proposal that would have ceased their abortion advocacy"
NEA Bob Chanin – "I support of same-sex "marriage."
NEA Bob Chanin – "We are not paranoid, someone really is after us,"
NEA Bob Chanin – "It is not because we care about children,"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/jul/09070905...
Don't you just love unions? I wonder what he thinks about "fisting"? Bob and the NEA can think what they like, but when it comes to what our kids are taught, hands off. I just saw that Kyle Olsen wrote an NEA article at BG. Yes Bob, we're after you.
DeMint put a hold on the nomination. The right wing mind isn't funny, it's pathetic.
Born and Raised in Michigan and even as a child you could see how Unions and more govt. were ruining the State. A week after graduation from U of M I put Michigan in the rear view mirror never to return. That was 1983 and I can't say I've ever regretted my decision.
The corruption in this country is systemic and is working it's way into our roots everyday. Every business, every labor group, every special interest that is allowed to lobby for political favoritism to be paid in any competitive advantage or actual taxpayer money in order for the corrupt politician to garner votes is another blow to our continued freedom and greatness as a country. The congress, the executive exceed the federal enumerated power of their office every day. This case of calling for collective bargaining when it would clearly be detrimental to the American public's safety should have been permanently banned from the debate. However the issue has now resurfaced for the third time. Every group that seeks an unfair advantage through government is killing our republic, capitalism, and liberty. The unions of today are a wing of the Left and little more. The good Senator Demint is a patriot and unafraid to do his duty…if we had many more like him this country would be much better off. Thanks for an informative article Liberty Chick .
Take one point in the article. And use facts, history, and logic to disprove one.
If you can't than I pray to God no one ever takes anything you say seriously again for the rest of your life anywhere anytime.
I have no faith in ANY "leaders" that bozo would try to appoint. Another one like Janet N
perhaps?
As for Unions, all you have to do is look at how the Unions ruined our school system.
They can't even fire teachers that aren't capable of training my dog, let alone teach
our children.
All of my Uncles were Teamsters, and I remember one of them got drunk on the job,
he jeopardized his co-workers, but the Teamsters went to bat for him and the company
had to keep him on. (It wasn't the first time either) Unions outlived their usefulness!!
Obama should unionize the SS and see if they'll go on strike…lol
Don't worry Dave, there's a special place in hell for people like Soros. What makes it even more ironic is the fact that Soros cares even less about the idiot leftists who support him, than he does for conservatives. He hates America, and has done everything he can to destroy it. His Nazi pals couldn't do it in WW2 so he's been on a vendetta ever since. I say, kick him out of the country.
you are an idiot!
You are so STUPID! You do have freedom in the workplace whether you're unionized or not, you have the freedom to quit your job and find another job that will suit you best.
The misery index will continue to rise and tax revenues will continue to decrease, and when they can no longer play kick the can with the economy and we have the real crash, then we will have a massive reset in this country.
Until then you just sit back and laugh and realize that government is the problem not the answer.
Just went through 4 airports yesterday. To say that TSA employs the lowest common denominator is an understatement. TSA employees always look and act confused.
One thing I did not see … TSA employees undernourished, TSA employees over-worked and tired, TSA managers with whips and chains driving their poor minions beyond ability. Just wasn't there … couldn't find it.
If you give an employee an out … a right to walk away from a task … they will take, justified or not and you have no recourse. We do not, can not, afford our national security the option to collective bargaining which can shut down lines of screening on the basis of "it is not in my collective bargaining agreement that I should …!" Because of this, our national security will have to be handled by our best national security weapon … our military. Explosive sniffing dogs and men/women with weapons on our soil. Explosive sniffing dogs on other countries' soil. Strict no-fly lists.
[...] Why Senator Jim Demint Is Right To Challenge TSA Unions [...]
Really?
Please provide evidence.
So because the federal government is a bloated and incompetent beauracracy filled with slackers, does that somehow make unions more acceptable. Unionization would only exacerbate the problem!
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