Jay Rockefeller: “Let me just say that the TSA Administrator has the right to allow collective bargaining for TSA employees through the…”

“Let me just say that the TSA Administrator has the right to allow collective bargaining for TSA employees through the authority he was provided in the original Aviation and Transportation Security Act passed in 2001. When Congress passed that, we came to an agreement that left the determination of allowing collective bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers to the TSA Administrator. I firmly believe this authority should remain with the TSA Administrator. The current agreement was approved under the Bush administration and approved by a Republican-controlled House of Representatives. I see no reason to alter this compromise at this time. There are valid reasons to keep the authority with the TSA Administrator. He works firsthand with the employees every day. The nature of his work is very hands on. He is better qualified to determine the agency's mission, how it can be improved, with or without collective bargaining--he more than anybody. On Friday, Administrator Pistole announced his intention to allow collective bargaining over workforce issues, but security and pay will not be subject to negotiation.”