TSA nominee won’t commit to collective bargaining rights – GovExec
During his first confirmation hearing in Washington on Tuesday, President Obama’s nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration pledged to boost training for employees but would not commit to extending collective bargaining rights to agency screeners.
“From my military service, I know all too well how important a well-trained workforce is,” said Maj. Gen. Robert Harding before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “You have my commitment to enhance training opportunities and invest in developing TSA’s employees.”
After Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., asked how Harding would move TSA toward an airport security model more similar to the intensive and multilayered security practiced by Israeli authorities, Harding said the answer was “training, training, more training in droves,” and that he wanted TSA’s workforce to adopt a drilling model like the one used in Israel.
