The controversy over Tampa International Airport’s push to privatize its airport security continued last week as the union representing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees filed suit in federal court to demand documents detailing the timing and rationale behind the initiative, known as TSA Gold+.
In a prepared statement, the American Federation of Government Employees said, “AFGE filed its Freedom of Information Act request in May. Nearly three months later, AFGE has received no records or determination on its request.
“AFGE and the public learned Gold+ existed by accident. A TSA-branded briefing flier describing the program as a ‘new public-private partnership aimed at modernizing aviation security at select airports across the country’ was found at Orlando International Airport and shared with the media.
“TSA had been building and selling the program for months before that.”
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In an interview, AFGE General Counsel Rushab Sanghvi said the union wanted to get the full truth behind TSA Gold+.
“TSA and DHS have been concealing stuff from the public, from the AFGE, from Congress,” said Sanghvi. AFGE submitted a Freedom of Information Act request in May and did not get a reply in the statutorily required period, he noted. “At the time, and to a large extent still, there wasn’t really much information out there on how this program was conceived or what TSA was doing with this program.”
AFGE’s suit “is one piece of a larger challenge to what we think is the Administration trying to secretly harm not only our members but the flying public.”
In a previous statement, Tampa International described TSA Gold+ as evidence of “the Airport’s strong commitment to modernization, innovation, and operational resilience in aviation security.”
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Emily Nipps, Tampa International Director of Communications, said “Tampa International Airport is continuing its due diligence in evaluating the TSA Gold+ program for its checkpoints. If anything changes, we will let the Board and public know.”
Nipps directed the public to a Q&A posted to its website. There, Tampa International confirms that “the airport is not a party to the agreement between the TSA and the private screening operator,” though they “are encouraged to participate in the vendor selection process.”
It also says that Tampa International is not eliminating jobs, as it does not directly employ screeners; however, AFGE Local 556 President Chris Finlay previously told the Catalyst that his own experience with security privatization at Sanford Airport did in fact result in screeners leaving and reduced wages
“It’s up to the contract company what they’re going to pay. I know from experience that it has to be what TSA pays, with an asterisk – it’s what they pay for a minimum,” Finlay said.
Finlay also pushed back strongly on the notion that disruptions from federal funding lapses necessitated privatization, noting that there was a bill in Congress now that would treat TSA similarly to the VA, which locks in funding years in advance. Regardless, Finlay’s agents had one of the lowest callout rates in the country despite going nearly 100 days without pay in the last year, he noted.
To the AFGE’s Sanghvi, it’s a matter of trust to both agents and the flying public.
“We believe there’s a decent chance they’re not doing this lawfully – and they’re clearly doing it shrouded in secrecy,” he said, noting that neither the AFGE nor Congress has received the information they requested.
“We think the public and our members have a right to know what’s going on.”
US Representative Kathy Castor (D–Tampa) agreed, coming out against the proposals in a letter to Tampa International and the Hillsborough County Airports Authority.
“I have heard directly from TPA TSOs [Transportation Security Officers], who have expressed their deep concern and opposition to privatization. Their sense of duty, pride and belonging cannot be replicated by a private entity,” she said in a statement.
“While modern screening technology is important, Congress already has provided TSA with increased funding to deploy these advancements,” Castor continued. “Private contractors may cut corners on training, wages and benefits, leading to fatigue and reduced vigilance. Unlike federal officers, whose mission is public safety, contractors’ financial incentives may conflict with the imperative to protect lives. TPA TSOs should not be defunded.
“For all of these reasons, I implore you to reject the change to TSA Gold+.”
Tampa International directed media to the TSA for more on the specifics of the program. TSA has not replied to repeated requests for comment in the last two weeks.
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