The union representing 47,000 Transportation Security Administration workers is suing TSA.
The lawsuit is looking to force the release of records regarding the expansion of privatized security screening at airports, a new program known as TSA Gold+.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), which represents TSA officers at over 400 U.S. airports, filed the lawsuit Aug. 5 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, claiming the agency's "secretive push" of the private-public partnership took place without formal disclosure, according to the complaint. The lawsuit alleges a count of violating the statutory deadline for a May Freedom of Information Act request and unlawful withholding of agency records.
"I don't think it's
any sort of surprise that a union and AFGE would be concerned about the privatization of federal jobs, that we think is wrong," AFGE General Counsel Rushab Sanghvi told USA TODAY. "But I think this is even worse than something the American public should be concerned about because they're pushing through this privatization effort sort of in the shadows without much information to the public."
The AFGE claims it found out about the new program "by accident," when a flyer was found at Orlando International Airport in April.
TSA did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
"This lawsuit is a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, so we hope to get the information we ask for that they are legally required to provide us. And we believe that it's going to show that they're not doing this in a lawful way, right?" Sanghvi said.
Around 20 airports already use privatized screening under the Screening Partnership Program (SPP). In a statement to USA TODAY in May, TSA called TSA Gold+ "the next evolution" of SPP, offering airports the opportunity to opt into a partnership with a third-party contractor for a tailored security screening service that's overseen by the federal agency.
"This approach encourages private investment, accelerates technological innovation, and enhances the passenger experience while maintaining the highest levels of security and insulating frontline operations from federal budget uncertainty," the agency had said.
The most recent government shutdown, which lasted about 75 days, led to long queues and left 61,000 TSA officers working without pay.
The three airports set to implement TSA Gold+ next year are Charleston International Airport, Tampa International Airport and Des Moines International Airport.
A Tampa International Airport spokesperson told USA TODAY that its choice to implement TSA Gold+ is to reduce disruption risks from those funding lapses amid shutdowns.
The union said it is not only concerned about the lack of transparency around TSA Gold+, but also about having for-profit companies in control of security screenings and its effects on public safety and the job security of TSA officers.
Chris Finlay – president of the AFGE Local 556 chapter, which includes Tampa, and a TSA worker of over 20 years – said he's seen previous transitions to privatization have undercut pay or other benefits, such as a pension plan or 401 (k) match.
"The biggest part of the private contract is going to be staffing. That's the most expensive part," Finlay said. "And when you're trying to cut costs, where do you think you're going to pull the money from? Staffing."
In July, the agency said TSA officers will have the first right of refusal for jobs with the private vendors. These companies will also be required to provide commensurate pay and benefits.
"We continue to push to make sure that our airports are safe and that our federal employees, our TSOs – the people who work at TSA at the airport, many of whom are veterans – are treated with respect, and they're not replaced with poorly paid jobs that are going to impair public safety," Sanghvi said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Workers sue TSA over TSA Gold+, claims 'secretive push' of new program
