Member Reference

Collective Bargaining Agreement

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Official Reference

2024 AFGE TSA Council 100 and TSA Collective Bargaining Agreement

Effective Date: May 24, 2024

Note: The contract language below is displayed from the official CBA text. It is not summarized or rewritten.

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ARTICLE 36: COMMUNICATIONS

Official CBA pages 172-177

Official CBA Page 172

ARTICLE 36: COMMUNICATIONS

A. COMMUNICATIONS: The Parties agree that because of AFGE’s status as the exclusive

representative of bargaining unit employees, it is beneficial to foster communications between

AFGE and bargaining unit employees. The following provisions are designed to foster

communication consistent with TSA’s mission.

B. GENERAL:

1. Union Bulletin Boards: In TSA-controlled areas, TSA will allow (where feasible) the

Union to install up to two (2) lockable bulletin boards (approximately 24” x 36”),

purchased by the Union, in every break room or equivalent space, in each airport/terminal.

Such bulletin boards will be for the exclusive use of the Union.

2. Distribution of Union Information and Materials:

a. Postings and other materials distributed by the Union may not: make defamatory or

demeaning references to specific TSA officials or employees; contain Sensitive

Security Information (SSI), Personally Identifiable Information (PII), profanity, or

discriminatory references; and/or may not violate any law(s).

b. TSA will not alter or censor the content of communications between the Union and

bargaining unit employees that meet the requirements of Section B.2.a.

c. In TSA-controlled areas, TSA will allow (where feasible) the Union to install a rack of

reasonable size for union publications in break rooms. The Parties will mutually agree

on the size of the rack and its placement.

d. Consistent with TSA policy, bargaining unit employees who are designated Union

Representatives may engage in reasonable use for representational purposes (and not

internal Union business) of TSA’s fax machines, copiers, and scanners, provided that

such use does not interfere with the Agency’s need and/or use of the equipment for

Agency work requirements. For more than de minimis tasks, the Union will supply its

own paper.

e. Bargaining unit employees may distribute Union literature in TSA-controlled employee

break rooms and other non-screening areas while off-duty (e.g., before work, after

work, meal breaks). All costs incidental to the distribution of Union literature will be

paid by the Union.

f. TSA will create a folder within TSA’s intranet for each AFGE Local. AFGE Local

Presidents or designees will be able to post a reasonable number of announcements and

relevant information within their Local’s folder, which will be accessible to each airport

within the jurisdiction of the Local. Upon written request to the FSD or designee,

management will provide the AFGE Local President or designee with access to that

folder at each airport in the jurisdiction of the AFGE Local. The written request must

Official CBA Page 173

contain a list of the airports that are within the jurisdiction of the AFGE Local.

3. AFGE representatives may only engage in union activities with TSA bargaining unit

employees who are not on duty, or are on break or on official time. If an AFGE

representative is not certain if a TSA bargaining unit employee is on duty, the AFGE

representative will first ask the TSA bargaining unit employee if they are off duty or on

break. If the TSA bargaining unit employee indicates that they are on duty, the AFGE

representative will immediately end contact with the bargaining unit employee.

4. Use of TSA Email: The Parties understand the TSA email system is for official TSA

business. Bargaining unit employees may use the TSA email system for limited personal

use, to include communications with the union, as long as this use does not interfere with

official duties or cause degradation of network services. Bargaining unit employees may

not send broadcast-type messages via TSA’s email network regarding any unofficial

matters, including communications with the Union. The Parties should be mindful that

email messages on the TSA email system are considered government records.

5. In addition to the Union’s right to be notified and attend shift briefs that constitute formal

discussions, up to two (2) AFGE representatives designated by AFGE may speak at least

once every month at shift-change briefings for up to five (5) minutes to update bargaining

unit employees on Union matters. If an AFGE representative is not a TSA bargaining unit

employee, they may not remain at the shift briefing after providing their update.

6. TSA will provide reasonable advance notice, in writing, to the AFGE local president or

designee for all formal discussions so that a Union official will have an opportunity to

attend. Verbal notifications are acceptable for formal discussions that are scheduled on

short notice, provided that a follow-up written notice is sent to the Union representative to

whom the verbal notification was made.

7. TSA will post a Notice of Rights to Union Representation During Examination or

Investigation on each official bulletin board and will, at least twice each year, send a

message to all bargaining unit employees, the sole subject of which will be information

regarding the Rights to Union Representation During Examination or Investigation. AFGE

may use any of the communication avenues as described in this Article to communicate

with bargaining unit employees about Rights to Union Representation During Examination

or Investigation.

8. Union representatives may not use their personal electronic devices while performing

screening functions and/or when present in a TSA screening area.

9. At airports where management notifies administrative personnel of bargaining unit

employee separations or transfers by email, upon request to the FSD or designee, the local

AFGE Union President or designee will be included in the distribution.

10. TSA management may establish or continue to use existing committees, task forces, or

other groups of bargaining unit employees to meet and communicate with management

Official CBA Page 174

officials. Bargaining unit employees who are not designated Union representatives will be

on duty for such meetings.

a. In addition to the committees listed in Section B.11 below, the Union will unilaterally

select the bargaining unit employees serving on the following committees (or their

successors (if any)):

i. Scheduling Committees;

ii. The National Advisory Council (NAC);

iii. The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Council (DEIA Council);

iv. Employee Advisory Councils;

v. Safety Action Team; and

vi. Any other committees, task forces, and groups of employees that do not primarily

deal with security matters.

b. TSA will determine the number of bargaining unit employees, as well as the eligibilit y

requirements for bargaining unit employees serving on committees, task forces, and

groups of employees listed in Section B.10.a.i-vi above. This does not apply to the

committees listed in Section B.11.a below.

i. Bargaining unit employees must meet the eligibility requirements set by TSA when

selected and for the duration of their service on these committees, task forces, or

groups of employees.

ii. If a bargaining unit employee selected by the Union subsequently leaves the

bargaining unit, the Union will select a replacement who meets the eligibility

requirements.

iii. If a bargaining unit employee no longer meets the eligibility requirements, the

Union will select a replacement who does meet the eligibility requirements.

iv. In the event that a bargaining unit employee selected by the Union is not fulfilling

their responsibilities (e.g., not following the committee’s charter), the Union will

select a replacement who meets the eligibility requirements.

c. TSA will unilaterally select the bargaining unit employees for committees, task forces,

and groups of employees that primarily deal with security matters.

11. The Union will unilaterally select bargaining unit employees to serve on committees as

follows:

a. The Union will continue to unilaterally select the bargaining unit employees to serve

on the national level Uniform Committee set forth in Article 16: Uniform, Uniform

Allowances, and Appearance, the Health, Safety, and Wellness Committee set forth in

Official CBA Page 175

Article 33: Health and Safety, and the Veterans Committee set forth in Article 36:

Communications.

b. The Union will unilaterally select bargaining unit employees to serve on committees as

mutually agreed upon by TSA management and the Union.

12. List of Bargaining Unit Employees: In February and August of each year, TSA will provide

the Union with a list of all bargaining unit employees by airport location, title, full- or part-

time status, and include their TSA email addresses, subject to appropriate SSI restrictions.

The list will be in a format that allows the Union to filter by airport location for the Union

to disseminate to AFGE Local Presidents as needed. AFGE will safeguard this information

consistent with applicable SSI requirements.

13. TSA will include the name, title, personal or union e-mail address if provided by the Union

Representative to the designated management representative, and contact telephone

number of the AFGE Local Union Representatives in the TSA telephone directory/contact

list at each airport.

14. Vacancy Announcements: All vacancy announcements for bargaining unit positions will

include information that the position is in the bargaining unit for which AFGE is the

exclusive representative.

15. Veterans Committee:

a. The Parties will establish a Veterans 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 including but not limited to:

i. Communications with the bargaining unit regarding the Uniformed Services

Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).

ii. Communications with the bargaining unit regarding veteran’s benefits (e.g.,

military buyback program).

iii. Health and Welfare issues related to veterans (e.g., leave issues, reentry to civilian

life following deployment).

iv. Veterans appreciation activities.

v. Peer to peer counseling services.

vi. Other related matters.

Official CBA Page 176

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

a quorum at a meeting of the Veterans Committee.

c. The Committee will have two (2) co-chairs: one (1) AFGE co-chair and one (1)

management co-chair.

d. The Veterans Committee members will make earnest efforts to jointly craft

recommendations. Either Co-Chair may request assistance from Federal Mediation and

Conciliation Service to facilitate reaching joint recommendations.

e. The Veterans Committee will meet at least twice a year and AFGE representatives will

participate on official time.

f. The Veterans 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. The meetings will take

place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays unless modified in accordance with Section B.15.h.

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

Veterans Committee work. TSA will pay the travel and per diem expenses, if any, of up

to seven (7) AFGE’s representatives who are bargaining unit employees for these two

(2) meetings.

g. Any other Veteran Committee meetings will be held by teleconference or

videoconference unless the Veterans Committee Co-Chairs agree to hold the meetings

in person at TSA Headquarters or at a no cost facility as mutually agreed upon by the

Co-Chairs. The meetings will take place at a time agreed upon by the Veterans

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

the Veterans Committee Co-Chairs. TSA will pay the travel and per diem expenses, if

any, of AFGE’s representatives who are bargaining unit employees.

h. 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.

i. The Veterans Committee will be briefed on veterans’ issues and concerns at each

meeting.

j. 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 Veterans

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,

Official CBA Page 177

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

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

k. If management implements a joint recommendation of the Veterans Committee,

management will communicate that management has adopted a Veterans Committee

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

sixty (60) calendar days of the implementation. The message will state the following:

"As a result of the recommendation of the Veterans Committee under the AFGE-TSA

Collective Bargaining Agreement, TSA . . . "

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

representatives who will serve on the Veterans 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 Veterans Committee membership within

fourteen (14) calendar days before a Veterans Committee meeting.

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

representatives who will serve on the Veterans 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 Veterans Committee membership

within fourteen (14) calendar days before a Veterans Committee meeting.

16. UNION REPRESENTATIVE DATA: Within seven (7) days of the effective date of the

CBA, each AFGE local will provide to the FSD or designee and TSA Labor Relations a list

of the: names, titles, official time designation, email address, phone number, and airport of

local Union Representatives within the local. The AFGE local will provide the FSD or

designee and TSA Labor Relations a written update of any changes to this list at least five

(5) days before the date of the change. This does not alter any requirements for changes to

official time designations required by the Article 6: Union Representatives and Official

Time.

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