Message from the National President

Dear TSA Employees,

Over the past several days, I have heard from TSOs around the country who are concerned about exposure to swine flu and whether TSA is doing enough to protect frontline employees. I am writing to inform you of the aggressive steps NTEU is taking to ensure that TSA protects its employees to the maximum extent possible during the outbreak.

NTEU has asked senior management in the Department of Homeland Security to modify its ban against TSOs wearing masks and permit employees to don a mask at their discretion. I have pointed out to DHS and TSA that the Centers for Disease Control has said that a traveler could be contagious with the disease without showing symptoms, and that the ban on wearing masks undercuts the safety afforded by that protection. As NTEU continues our conversations with management, our message is that the best course is to act with an abundance of caution.

In addition, I have sent a letter to the TSA acting administrator seeking her immediate attention to guidance from the Office of Personnel Management telling TSOs to maintain a distance of at least six feet between themselves and someone who appears to be ill. As you know, that is virtually impossible for TSOs in the screening process, particularly those assigned pat-down, wanding and boarding pass checking responsibilities. I have requested that TSOs have ready access to hand-washing facilities and that those assigned to perform functions in closer proximity than six feet have the option to wear protective masks and gloves.

The bottom line is that your safety is paramount, and NTEU is doing everything in our power to make sure that TSA procedures recognize this. I will notify you as soon as more information becomes available.

Thank you for your professionalism and service to our country every day, and especially during this critical time.