On Friday, the head of the Transportation Security Administration, John Pistole, said that he would allow airport screeners to select a union or none in an election. The announcement comes after the Federal Labor Relations Authority said that it would allow a representation election for airport screeners. Pistole said that negotiating with a union on pay, pensions, proficiency testing, qualifications and discipline would not interfere with security. Two unions are vying to represent the screeners, the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union, both of whom said that the decision was a good one. Critics of unionization say that a union will harm security procedures and decrease flexibility. The vote has been tentatively scheduled between March 9 and April 19.
See "TSA clears way for airport screeners to seek broader union rights", Jeanne Leserve and Mike M. Ahlers, CNN International, February 6, 2011