A federal workers’ union filed suit against the Transportation Security Administration for information regarding efforts to expand privatization at airports across America.
Des Moines could among the first to implement the Trump Administration program.
In July, the Des Moines International Airport announced it could be one of three airports in the running to leverage the TSA Gold+ program for its security processes. Expanding on the existing Screening Partnership Program, TSA Gold+ allows airports to contract private companies for security screening instead of federal TSA officers, according to TIME.
While officials at the Des Moines airport said participation would offer the latest TSA technology to improve efficiency, the union representing 47,000 transportation security officers claims TSA Gold+ could replace jobs and jeopardize security. The American Federation of Government Employees lawsuit against the Transportation Security Administration claims the agency failed to respond to a Freedom of Information Act request about the program for nearly three months, according to a news release from the union.
The union also claims the agency had been building and selling the program before informing the union of its expansion. It wasn’t until late July that the Transportation Security Administration gave notice to the union about TSA Gold+, with its possible launch at airports in Des Moines as well as Charleston, South Carolina, and Tampa, Florida, according to the news release.
“TSA has been keeping everyone in the dark about its privatization plans — TSA employees, members of Congress, airport authorities, and the flying public,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a news release on Aug. 6. “And it’s little wonder why — this privatization expansion is a major departure from the aviation security system established by Congress in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Changes of this magnitude must not be made in the dark.”
Would passenger experience change from TSA Gold+ program?
Under the program, travelers’ checkpoint experience would remain the same, as would TSA security procedures and prohibited items. The “most noticeable difference” could include newer screening equipment designed to move passengers through TSA more efficiently, the Des Moines International Airport reported in July.
There was no implementation timeline for TSA Gold+ in Des Moines, airport officials said in July, but the union claimed the Transportation Security Administration would launch the program at the three airports by 2027.
Participating in the program would provide better workforce stability for TSA officers, the Des Moines airport’s release on it said. Airports would rely on the private sector to provide security services rather than needing to rely on federal appropriations to support aviation security.
However, the American Federation of Government Employees said of the 8,400-transportation security officer positions up for elimination under the 2027 proposed budget, roughly 4,500 of those would be replaced by private contractors, according to a news release from the organization on July 21.
Kate Kealey is the growth and development reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on X at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: TSA sued for info about security changes coming to Des Moines airport
Reporting by Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
