TSA agents rally at Richmond International Airport over job security concerns

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Dozens of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers rallied at Richmond International Airport (RIC) on Wednesday over job security concerns.

This comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revoked their union representation and collective bargaining rights in March.

According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, “Eliminating collective bargaining removes bureaucratic hurdles that will strengthen workforce agility, enhance productivity and resiliency, while also jumpstarting innovation.”

American Federation of Government Employees President Scott Robinson said the move “strips TSA officers of their workplace protections and threatens the stability of the nation’s airport security system.”  

“By eliminating union protections and pushing for privatization, Secretary Noem is undermining the safety and efficiency of TSA operations,” Robinson said.

Sherry Markham, a 17-year TSA agent, said collective bargaining agreement negotiations are crucial for employees to live a better life.

“There's a lot of people that are living paycheck to paycheck, and with that pay equity, it allows us to have or alleviate the challenges for some people,” Markham said.

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) said he understands why workers are angry and that travelers could feel the repercussions should they choose not to work.

“If we don't have TSA workers or they are sick out, or we end up with air traffic controllers that are suddenly saying, ‘Well, you know, this is not worth the stress,’ then Americans' safety in the skies could be implemented,” Warner said.

8News reached out to multiple Republican lawmakers, but none have responded.

Workers said they’ll continue rallying until federal leaders reinstate the rights they feel they’ve earned.