Congress·In Committee·S. 997

Sen. Schatz Introduces Bill to Give TSA Workers Standard Federal Pay and Union Rights

Rights for the TSA Workforce Act

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

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Key Points

This bill would move all TSA employees — including airport screeners, air marshals, and inspectors — from the agency's unique personnel system into the standard federal workforce system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code. This gives them the same workplace rules as most other federal workers.
From policy text
“covered employees and covered positions shall be subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code.”
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TSA screening agents would gain full collective bargaining rights within 90 days of enactment, including the ability to form unions and negotiate working conditions under the same federal labor relations law that covers other government employees.
From policy text
“chapters 71 and 77 of title 5, United States Code, shall apply to covered employees carrying out screening functions pursuant to section 44901 of title 49, United States Code”
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No TSA worker would see a pay cut during the transition. Employees would be credited for their years of service under the old pay system as if they had served in an equivalent General Schedule position, which could mean higher pay for many.
From policy text
“a covered employee converted from a TSA personnel management system to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, under section 3(c)(1)(F)-- (1) may not be subject to any reduction in either the rate of adjusted basic pay payable or law enforcement availability pay payable to that covered employee”
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The bill requires multiple reviews by the Government Accountability Office covering recruitment (especially of veterans), workplace harassment and assault, promotion equity, and leadership diversity within TSA.
From policy text
“Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the efforts of the Administration regarding recruitment, including recruitment efforts relating to veterans, the dependents of veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and the dependents of such members.”
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The Administrator is required to work with organizations representing Federal Air Marshals to address mental health, suicide rates, morale, equipment, training, and work schedules — recognizing the unique stresses of that job.
From policy text
“The Administrator shall communicate with organizations representing a significant number of Federal air marshals, to the extent provided by law, to address concerns regarding Federal Air Marshals related to the following: (1) Mental health. (2) Suicide rates. (3) Morale and recruitment.”
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Despite expanding union and workplace rights, the bill explicitly preserves the ban on TSA employees going on strike, ensuring no disruption to airport security operations.
From policy text
“Nothing in this Act may be considered-- (1) to repeal or otherwise affect-- (A) section 1918 of title 18, United States Code (relating to disloyalty and asserting the right to strike against the Government)”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Mar 12, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Mar 12, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 90 days of enactment

TSA screening agents gain full collective bargaining and appeals rights under federal labor law

Within 90 days, screeners could negotiate working conditions, file grievances, and appeal disciplinary actions through the same system used by most federal workers — a significant upgrade from TSA's current limited framework.

By December 31, 2025 at the latest

Full conversion of all TSA employees to the standard federal personnel system (Title 5)

All ~60,000 TSA workers would be under the same pay scales, benefits, and workplace rules as other federal employees. No one loses pay, and many could see increases based on years-of-service credits.

Within 1 year of enactment

GAO submits reports on recruitment, promotion equity, harassment protections, and implementation

Congress would receive independent assessments of how well TSA treats its workers, with actionable recommendations that could drive further reforms.

Related News

1 article

FEDweek·3 months ago

DHS Disavows Union Rights for TSA Screeners

DHS issued a policy determination ending union representation for 47,000 screeners. The article notes that the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act (H.R. 2086) would override these executive actions by moving the agency to the Title 5 personnel system used by most other federal agencies.