ARTICLE 16: UNIFORMS, UNIFORM ALLOWANCES, AND APPEARANCE

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ARTICLE 16: UNIFORMS, UNIFORM ALLOWANCES, AND APPEARANCE

A. PURPOSE: The TSA bargaining unit employee uniform is a readily identifiable symbol of

the security mission and contributes to the public trust, individual and group pride, and

command presence. The Parties agree that there is a shared interest in supporting and

encouraging bargaining unit employees to maintain a consistent professional presence. This

Article addresses bargaining unit employee appearance, the allocation of TSA approved

uniform items – type and count – to be provided to bargaining unit employees, and uniform

allowances for use to purchase additional uniform items. Uniform allowance is distributed to

bargaining unit employees through bargaining unit employee accounts with TSA’s identified

uniform vendor.

B. DEFINITIONS:

1. Ceremonial Uniform: Special uniform items that will be used for approved TSA Honor

Guard. Ceremonial uniform items will be special ordered only for those bargaining unit

employees selected to participate on established ceremonial teams.

2. Dress Uniform: The dress uniform is the long-sleeve uniform shirt with necktie and

trousers (or skirt when worn in lieu of trousers as provided for in Section C) as provided

by the authorized vendor.

3. Initial Uniform Allotment: The initial uniform items issued to bargaining unit employees.

4. Annual Uniform Allotment: The annual standard uniform items issued to bargaining unit

employees.

5. Uniform Allowance: An annual monetary amount made available to each bargaining unit

employee to purchase standard and optional TSA uniform items and to replenish and

maintain such uniform items.

6. Vendor: The designated contractor, holding the uniform contract, as specified by the TSA

Administrator.

C. INITIAL UNIFORM ALLOTMENT UPON HIRE:

1. At the time of hire, bargaining unit employees are provided the following uniform items:

Uniform Item Passenger-Only Baggage-Only Dual Function

Badge 1 1 1

Belt (Tactical) 1 1 1

Trousers/Cargo 5 (one must be 5 (one must be 5 (one must be

Pants* trousers) trousers) trousers)

Nameplate 2 0 2

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Uniform Item Passenger-Only Baggage-Only Dual Function

Necktie 1 1 1

5 total (combination

Polo Shirt – with shirts; one shirt

0 4

Long/Short Sleeve must be long-sleeve

and not polo)

5 total (combination

5 (one shirt must be

Shirts – with polos; one shirt

long-sleeve and not 1 (long-sleeve)

Long/Short Sleeve must be long-sleeve

polo)

and not polo)

Shoulder Boards 2 sets 1 set 2 sets

Socks 5 pairs 5 pairs 5 pairs

Team Jacket 1 1 1

*Skirts will be provided for female bargaining unit employees in lieu of trousers/cargo pants

upon request.

2. Bargaining unit employees will wear their uniform shirt (i.e., polo or shirt as permitted)

and pants (i.e., trousers or cargo pants) after receiving them.

D. ANNUAL REPLACEMENT ALLOTMENT (ARA):

1. On an annual basis, management will provide the bargaining unit employee two (2) shirts

and two (2) pants as follows:

a. A passenger-only bargaining unit employee will receive two (2) uniform shirts (short

or long sleeve as selected by the bargaining unit employee) and any combination of

two (2) trousers/cargo pants and shorts/Cargo Shorts.

b. A baggage-only, STI, EMT, or Dual Function bargaining unit employee will receive

two (2) uniform shirts (short or long sleeve, including short or long sleeve polo shirts,

as selected by the bargaining unit employee) and two (2) of the following, as selected

by the bargaining unit employee: trousers, cargo pants, or shorts/cargo shorts.

2. For purposes of the ARA, bargaining unit employees may substitute the standard issued

shirts and trousers with the poly/wool shirts and trousers and will pay the difference in cost

between the poly/wool and the standard issued items.

3. For purposes of the ARA, bargaining unit employees approved to wear 100% cotton shirts

and/or trousers may substitute them for the standard issued shirts and trousers at no

additional cost.

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E. JACKETS:

1. Unless otherwise permitted by TSA management, the only authorized jackets that may be

worn at the checkpoint are the Ike jacket, the 3-in-1 jacket (to include the vest), the team

jacket, and the windbreaker jacket. Bargaining unit employees may wear these jackets at

the checkpoint at their discretion.

F. SHOES:

1. Bargaining unit employees may use their uniform allowance to purchase shoes from the

TSA approved uniform vendor or use their own funds to purchase shoes from another

source without reimbursement.

2. Shoes and boots, athletic shoes and safety shoes, must be all black in color, with

inconspicuous logos, clean and in good repair, and must be similar in style to the shoes and

boots, athletic shoes and safety shoes in Appendix A.

G. APPROVED UNIFORM ITEM COMBINATIONS: The chart below illustrates authorized

combinations of uniform items that can be worn by bargaining unit employees. Consistent with

this Article, bargaining unit employees must wear the uniform shirts, ties, sweater, jackets,

coveralls, trousers, cargo pants, shorts/cargo shorts, and skirts provided by the authorized

vendor.

Item Checkpoint Baggage/STI/EMT*

Long Sleeve Shirt**

Short Sleeve Shirt**

Black T-Shirt***

Sweater – Cardigan

Sweater – Commando

Sweater Vest

Three-in-One Coat Bargaining Unit Employee Bargaining Unit Employee

Discretion Discretion

Ike Jacket

Team Jacket

Windbreaker Jacket

Cargo Pants

Trousers

Skirt

Dickie

Shorts/Cargo Shorts See Section J See Section J

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Item Checkpoint Baggage/STI/EMT*

Polo Shirt (Short Sleeve)** Bargaining Unit Employee

See Section J

Discretion

Polo Shirt (Long Sleeve)**

Winter/Summer Socks Bargaining Unit Employee Bargaining Unit Employee

(Socks must be worn) Discretion Discretion

Bargaining Unit Employee Bargaining Unit Employee

Tie (Long clip-on tie)

Discretion Discretion

Bargaining Unit Employee

Bargaining Employee Unit

Turtleneck Discretion

Discretion

(Only w/long-sleeve shirt)

Parka Bargaining Unit Employee

Not permitted

Coveralls Discretion*

*[Blank] The Parties did not agree on this provision.

**Shirts, black t-shirts, and polos must be tucked into the trousers, cargo pants, shorts, and

cargo shorts.

***Officers may wear short-sleeve black t-shirts under their shirt or polo. The t-shirt must not

distract from the total uniform appearance. Long-sleeve black t-shirts can only be worn under

long-sleeve shirts and long-sleeve polos. No lettering or design can be visible through the shirt

or polo.

H. OPTIONAL UNIFORM ITEMS:

1. In addition to the initial uniform allotment, TSA will provide the following uniform items

to bargaining unit employees who meet the applicable criteria.

a. Uniforms for Pregnancy: Uniforms will be provided for pregnant bargaining unit

employees upon the bargaining unit employee’s request and approval by the FSD or

designee. Bargaining unit employees will receive pregnancy uniforms consisting of

five (5) shirts (either long-sleeve or short sleeve, at the bargaining unit employee’s

discretion), and five (5) trousers.

b. Honor Guard Uniform Items: Management will provide specific uniform items for the

Honor Guard. Each hub may have an Honor Guard (which may include bargaining unit

employees from the spoke airports within the hub and spoke network), which will be

outfitted with the uniform items listed in Section H.1.b.ii below.

i. Management will issue Honor Guard Uniform items to a bargaining unit employee

who serves as a member upon their entry to the Honor Guard. The member must

return all Honor Guard Uniform items to management when they depart from the

Honor Guard.

ii. Management will issue each Honor Guard member the following uniform items,

which constitute the two (2) Honor Guard uniforms per Honor Guard member:

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a) Two (2) blue long-sleeve TSA uniform shirts containing the Honor Guard

emblem (Honor Guard long-sleeve shirts)

b) Two (2) pairs of navy TSA uniform trousers (or two (2) uniform skirts when

worn in lieu of trousers as provided for in Section C)

c) One (1) white button loop cord

d) One (1) black button loop cord

e) One (1) pair of high gloss black dress shoes

f) One (1) pair of black Old Guard cheater bars

g) One (1) navy dress coat

h) Two (2) white bib scarves

i) One (1) white bib scarf extender as needed

j) One (1) white pair parade dress gloves/sure grip flag bearer gloves

k) One (1) white pair parade glove wrist wraps/flag bearer wrist wraps

l) One (1) white/silver parade belt and buckle

m) One (1) pair black shirt stay

n) One (1) white/black Honor Guard cap and chin strap

o) One (1) navy blue Honor Guard suit bag

p) One (1) black Honor Guard dress cap protective carrier

q) One (1) clear Honor Guard cap rain cover

iii. Management will issue each Honor Guard member the following accessory items:

a) One (1) Honor Guard hat pin with DHS/TSA emblem

b) Two (2) silver ceremonial guard lapel pins

c. Black Mourning Bands: TSA will provide a black band, not to exceed one-half inch in

width, worn horizontally centered on the metal badges at the narrow-most point that

may be worn for mourning declarations.

2. In addition to the uniform allotment, bargaining unit employees may purchase with their

uniform allowance approved optional items from the uniform vendor catalog.

3. Black t-shirts, thin summer socks, screw back nameplates, wind breaker jackets, cargo

shorts, and sports sleeves will be available for purchase from the authorized vendor.

4. Other Optional Uniform Items:

a. Tie Tacks/Tie Bars: Bargaining unit employees may purchase, at their expense, and

wear tie tacks/tie bars. Tie tacks may be button or stud style tie tacks that do not exceed

½-inch diameter and must be plain gold or silver in color. Tie bars must not exceed ⅜-

inch in width and be plain gold or silver tone metal. Tie tacks/bars with logos or

emblems must be of TSA/DHS or other Federal government organizations.

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b. Baseball Cap: Bargaining unit employees may purchase with their uniform allowance

and wear baseball caps. The baseball cap must be navy blue in color with a DHS or

TSA patch affixed to the front of the cap. Bargaining unit employees must wear the

baseball cap with the brim facing forward. Baseball caps may only be worn by

bargaining unit employees performing baggage screening functions, in a baggage

screening room outside the view of the public or curbside, and by bargaining unit

employees performing ATLAS, Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR),

or similar activities outside the airport building and when transiting to and from these

work areas.

c. Pins: Bargaining unit employees may wear up to three (3) authorized pins (about three-

quarters of an inch in diameter) on the uniform. DHS and TSA headquarters issued

pins, service pins, and other officially-issued Federal government pins (subject to FSD

or designee approval) may be worn. FSD or designee approved pins may also be worn.

One of the pins may be a replica of the American flag. The location of the pins will be

as approved by the FSD or designee. In addition to the up to three (3) authorized pins,

a mourning pin can be worn as approved by the FSD or designee (including FSD or

designee approval of the pin and the duration the pin can be worn).

d. Management will permit bargaining unit employees who serve as Union officials to

wear an AFGE pin to be designed and paid for by the Union and subject to advanced

TSA review and approval.

e. Lanyards: All lanyards with personal messages, sports teams, organizations, clubs, etc.,

are not authorized; except that each officer will be allowed to wear one lanyard,

designed and paid for by the Union, which will only display the official AFGE logo

and/or the words “Council 100” or the number of the local TSA Union, as long as the

lanyard does not detract from the professional appearance of an officer. Other than the

Union lanyard described above, only plain navy blue or black lanyards or lanyards with

TSA approved insignia which identifies an officer as a member of the TSA uniformed

workforce are authorized.

f. Items recommended by the Uniform Committee that are approved and implemented at

the appropriate Assistant Administrator’s direction.

I. UNIFORM ALLOWANCE:

1. When a bargaining unit employee is hired, TSA will provide the bargaining unit employee

with the initial uniform allotment. In the bargaining unit employee’s second year and

thereafter on an annual basis the bargaining unit employee will be eligible to receive the

uniform allowance.

2. Eligible bargaining unit employees will receive an annual monetary uniform allowance

and allotment currently valued at $966. This includes a $600 uniform allowance and an

annual allotment of two (2) pants and two (2) shirts. Increases in the cost of the allotment

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will not be offset against the credited allowance. Receipt of appropriated funds will

determine the timing of the distribution of the annual uniform allowance.

3. The uniform allowance will be posted to each bargaining unit employee’s account on the

TSA uniform vendor’s website. The bargaining unit employee may spend the uniform

allowance in increments or all at once at any time during the year. Bargaining unit

employees may use their uniform allowance to purchase any uniform item from the list of

authorized uniform items.

4. [Blank] The Parties did not agree on this provision.

J. GEOGRAPHIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Management may approve uniform combinations in addition to those listed in Section G

and H based on job assignments, personal comfort, time of year, environmental and

geographic considerations.

2. Bargaining unit employees can wear polo shirts between Memorial Day and Labor Day

regardless of temperature.

3. Bargaining unit employees can wear cargo shorts as follows:

a. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day regardless of temperature;

b. When the outside temperature is forecasted to be a high of at least seventy (70) degrees;

c. As otherwise permitted by management in Section J.1.

K. UNIFORM COMMITTEE:

1. The Parties will have a Uniform Committee made up of at least one (1) management

representative and up to seven (7) Union members, including the Union Co-Chair, to

review and receive recommendations from the Union, at the national level, on matters

concerning:

a. Design and quality of uniforms and uniform items

b. Additional uniform items and options

c. Uniform directives

d. Changes to the uniform

e. Quality assurance

f. Wear testing

g. Bargaining unit employee suggestions on uniforms

h. Bargaining unit employee suggestions on shoes

i. Review of vendor performance

j. Establishment of criteria for uniform vendors and specifications for uniform contracts

k. Other related issues

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2. The uniform committee will be briefed on vendor issues and concerns.

3. AFGE representatives who are bargaining unit employees serving on the Uniform

Committee will do so on official time.

4. The Uniform Committee will hold two (2) meetings per year at TSA Headquarters or at a

no cost facility as mutually agreed to by the Co-Chairs. These two (2) meetings will take

place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, unless modified in accordance with Section K.6. The

Mondays and Thursdays, preceding and following the meeting dates will be reserved for

travel to and from the meeting locations and pre- and post-meeting uniform committee

work, if necessary. TSA will pay the travel and per diem expenses, if any, of up to seven

(7) AFGE representatives who are bargaining unit employees for these two (2) meetings.

5. Any other Uniform Committee meetings will be held virtually at a time agreed upon by the

Uniform Committee Co-Chairs. The length of these other meetings will also be agreed

upon by the Uniform Committee Co-Chairs.

6. Matters proposed for discussion by either party will be forwarded to the other party at least

seven (7) calendar days prior to the meeting date. Any matter not submitted by this

timeframe will not be considered for discussion unless by mutual consent of the parties.

Failure to provide appropriate topics within the prescribed timeframe may result in a

modification to the length of the meeting.

7. The uniform committee will be governed by procedures set forth below:

a. One (1) management representative and four (4) union representatives shall constitute

a quorum at a meeting of the uniform committee.

b. The uniform committee will have two (2) co-chairs: one (1) AFGE co-chair and one

(1) management co-chair.

c. The parties will make earnest efforts to jointly craft committee recommendations.

Either uniform committee co-chair may request assistance from the Federal Mediation

and Conciliation Service to facilitate reaching joint recommendations.

d. Joint recommendations will be forwarded to the appropriate Assistant Administrator(s)

for implementation. Within sixty (60) calendar days of receiving the joint

recommendation, the appropriate Assistant Administrator(s) will reply to the Uniform

Committee indicating acceptance or denial of the joint recommendation or to request

additional information regarding the joint recommendation. If accepted, a joint

recommendation will be implemented at the appropriate Assistant Administrator’s

direction. If the joint recommendation is denied, management will specify in writing,

at the time denial is communicated, why management will not implement the joint

recommendation and will refer it to the Uniform Committee for further deliberations.

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e. Joint recommendations of the Uniform Committee that are approved by the appropriate

Assistant Administrator(s) will be implemented consistent with that approval and may

not be subject to impact and implementation bargaining at the national level.

f. If management implements a joint recommendation of the Uniform Committee,

management will communicate that management has adopted a Uniform Committee

recommendation to the entire bargaining unit via a TSA Broadcast message within

forty-five (45) calendar days of the implementation. The TSA Broadcast message will

include the language “As a result of a joint recommendation of the Uniform Committee

under the AFGE-TSA Collective Bargaining Agreement, TSA . . .”

g. AFGE agrees to notify management, in writing, of the names of the union

representatives who will serve on the uniform committee. AFGE reserves the right to

change any of the union representatives at any time. AFGE will normally provide

management with notice of a change in uniform committee membership within

fourteen (14) calendar days before a uniform committee meeting.

h. Management agrees to notify AFGE, in writing, of the names of the management

representatives who will serve on the uniform committee. Management reserves the

right to change any of the management representatives at any time. Management will

normally provide AFGE with notice of a change in uniform committee membership

within fourteen (14) calendar days before a uniform committee meeting.

L. PROPER USE OF UNIFORMS:

1. Bargaining unit employees may wear their TSA uniform during the normal work commute,

on breaks, during meal periods, or during time periods between split shifts. Bargaining unit

employees may also wear their uniform during brief stops that are part of the normal work

commute. Examples of stops that may be part of the normal work commute include, but

are not limited to, dropping off and picking up children from day care or school, briefly

stopping to buy a cup of coffee or have a meal, or grocery shopping.

2. The public will view a bargaining unit employee in uniform as representing TSA, even if

the bargaining unit employee is off duty. Therefore, bargaining unit employees may not

wear the uniform in inappropriate establishments, or participate in activities that could

compromise the credibility of TSA. Examples of activities not permitted while in uniform

include, but are not limited to, gambling, consuming alcoholic beverages, or participating

in public events (including volunteer activities) not explicitly approved or sponsored by

TSA/DHS. If bargaining unit employees have questions about a specific activity, they

should discuss it with their supervisors.

3. Bargaining unit employees may wear their uniforms at solemn occasions, such as funerals

or memorials, with FSD or designee approval.

M. INCLEMENT WEATHER: Inclement weather gear will be provided to bargaining unit

employees when required to work exposed to the elements (e.g., ATLAS and VIPRs). At

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locations where inclement weather gear is pooled, such gear will be professionally cleaned

prior to each issuance.

N. TATTOOS:

1. Tattoos (including tattoos on the upper neck and behind the ear) are permitted and may be

visible, except that:

a. Tattoos of any kind on the face and head (including partial tattoos that extend more

than an inch beyond the upper neck or behind the ear) are prohibited and must be

covered at all times and not visible to the general public when an officer is in uniform;

and

b. Tattoos that are indecent, commonly associated with gangs, extremist, and/or

supremacist organizations, or that advocate sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious

discrimination, as well as tattoos that have a negative impact on TSA’s ability to carry

out its mission, are prohibited on all exposed parts of the body and must be covered at

all times and not visible to the general public when an officer is in uniform.

2. If a bargaining unit employee cannot cover prohibited tattoos on their arms with a plain,

single-colored royal blue or black acceptable band, or sports sleeve, the officer must wear

a long-sleeved shirt.

3. If a bargaining unit employee cannot cover prohibited tattoos on their legs with a plain,

single-colored royal blue or black acceptable band, or sports sleeve, the officer must wear

trousers or cargo pants.

4. Consistent with this Article, other approved uniform items, such as turtlenecks and dickies,

may be used to cover tattoos prohibited under Section N.1 of this Article.

5. All determinations on the impermissibility of a tattoo should be made at the lowest level.

The bargaining unit employee’s FSD or designee will make the final management

determination on any questionable tattoo exposure.

O. PERSONAL ACCESSORIES AND GROOMING: All determinations of professional

appearance or appropriate use of personal accessories and grooming will be made at the lowest

level possible and based on the reasonable person standard. A reasonable person standard is

an objective determination made by someone who exercises average care, skill, and judgment

in conduct. For purposes of this Article, the FSD or designee will make the management

determination when there is a disagreement concerning professional appearance or appropriate

use of personal accessories and grooming.

1. Eyewear: Bargaining unit employees may wear prescription glasses with any frame and

lens while on duty as long as the eyewear does not detract from the professional appearance

of the officer (e.g., mirrored, opaque, iridescent or fluorescent colors are not permitted).

Sunglasses or darkly tinted glasses must not be worn inside the building while on duty.

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2. Personal Electronic Devices: Officers are authorized to wear personal electronic devices

(PED), including cell phones, smart watches, and fitness trackers that have messaging and

phone alert capabilities, in identified screening areas. PEDs may be displayed visibly, for

example, worn on the belt.

PEDs must not be used for personal purposes, except to check the time, while officers are

performing screening functions or are within the screening area at any time. PEDs may

only be used for personal purposes during an officer’s rest or meal break in a designated

area that is not co-located with the TSA screening area. PEDs must be silenced with alert

features deactivated when worn by officers in TSA screening areas, including baggage

pods/rooms. PEDs must also be silenced with alert features deactivated when worn by

officers in areas adjacent to TSA screening areas if such features may be heard by the

traveling public or may distract other bargaining unit employees in the screening area.

3. Hair and Hair Accessories: Hair and/or hairpieces, whether dyed or natural, must present

a professional appearance. Only natural hair colors (e.g., blond, brown, black, natural red,

gray) are permitted. While on duty, hair length can touch, but must not extend below the

top of the shoulder. Hair accessories may be used to meet this requirement; however, such

accessories must be concealed as much as possible and should not distract from the

uniform. In addition, the use of one’s own hair and/or hair pieces to meet this standard is

permitted as long as the style maintains a professional look that does not distract from the

uniform. If the FSD or designee determines that an officer’s hair is not compliant with this

section, the officer will be advised and given a reasonable opportunity to become compliant

with this section. The amount of time will be determined by management based on the

nature of the matter.

4. Jewelry must not detract from the professional appearance of a bargaining unit employee

and/or interfere with or impede their ability to do their job. While on and off-duty (in

uniform), bargaining unit employees can wear:

a. Only stud style earrings that do not exceed ½-inch in diameter and are made of plain

gold or silver tone metal, pearl, or other gemstone, and officers may not wear more

than two earrings per ear; earrings may only be worn in the lobe.

b. Non-protruding ear gauges/spacers not to exceed ½-inch that match the bargaining unit

employee’s skin tone.

c. Necklaces if not visible to the public.

d. One inconspicuous nose piercing if it is a stud that is non-protruding and matches the

bargaining unit employee’s skin tone.

e. One inconspicuous tongue piercing if it is a stud that is non-protruding and matches

the bargaining unit employee’s tongue.

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f. Body piercings that are covered by clothing.

g. Rings or ring sets on fingers limited to no more than two per hand.

h. Medical identification bracelets/necklaces.

i. One wrist watch that does not slide up the arm and/or does not present a safety issue.

j. One U.S. military service member memorial bracelet that does not slide up the arm

and/or does not present a safety issue.

5. While on duty as well as off-duty while in uniform, bargaining unit employees cannot

wear:

a. Any jewelry on or about the face, head, or mouth that is not addressed in Section O.4;

b. Beads, chains, bracelets, and similar jewelry that are not addressed in Section O.4.

6. Bargaining unit employees must be neatly shaven or maintain neatly trimmed and well-

kept facial hair no more than approximately ½ inch in length.

7. Chewing Gum and Tobacco: Officers are prohibited from chewing gum or tobacco during

the performance of their duties.

8. Fingernails must not extend further than ¼ inch beyond the tip of the finger. Fingernail

colors must be judged by a reasonable person standard and present a neat, clean, and

professional appearance.

9. Make-up and make-up colors must present a neat, clean, and professional appearance to be

judged by a reasonable person standard.