AFGE to Celebrate LAX TSA Workers with Thursday Event

LOS ANGELES, June 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With approximately 11,000 Transportation Security Administration members in 32 Locals nationwide, the American Federation of Government Employees will mark its role as the only real union for TSA workers with a celebration of Transportation Security Officers at LAX on June 25.

AFGE will show its support for the TSA workforce with a TSO Appreciation Day, at which AFGE representatives will be on hand to discuss the union's involvement in TSA.

In stark contrast to other employees at the Department of Homeland Security, and most other federal employees, TSOs are denied the basic workplace rights they so rightly deserve. AFGE, with strong backing from the powerful AFL-CIO, repeatedly has urged Congress to support legislation that grants TSOs the same collective bargaining rights and workforce protections as other federal workers. The union is actively seeking cosponsors for the most current bill - H.R. 1881 - and is working closely with the bill's sponsor, Representative Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) to ensure its passage.

"This has been a long, uphill battle," AFGE National President John Gage said, "but we won't rest until this workforce receives the rights to which they are entitled as federal employees."

WHO: The American Federation of Government Employees

WHAT: Will show its solidarity for TSA employees with a TSO Appreciation Day

WHERE: Los Angeles International Airport, patio area on the lower level between Terminals 1 and 2

WHEN: Thursday, June 25; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

AFGE is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including tens of thousands of DHS employees in agencies such as the Border Patrol, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal Protective Service, FEMA and TSA.