DHS Sec Noem Announces Huge Shakeup at TSA to Help Make Travel Safer

Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at hundreds of U.S. airports have been doing full-time union activities instead of security screening, prompting DHS Secretary Noem to eliminate collective bargaining for TSA.

Key Facts:

DHS ended collective bargaining for TSA officers, impacting 374 out of 432 federalized airports.
At 86% of airports, TSA officers performed full-time union work rather than screening duties.
Officers working solely on union tasks lose their screening certifications but remain government-paid.
Over 60% of TSA’s “poor performers” remain employed despite underperforming.
DHS claims this move will reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency at airports.

The Rest of The Story

At most airports, a portion of TSA officers have focused entirely on union matters, losing their ability to screen passengers altogether. DHS argues this weakened security operations, making airports less effective.

Secretary Noem’s decision to halt collective bargaining aims to streamline TSA operations. The DHS believes this change will encourage better performance and faster passenger screening.

At 86% of airports, TSA has more agents doing full-time union work than performing screening duties. Thanks to Secretary Noem’s action, Transportation Security Officers will no longer lose their hard-earned dollars to a union that does not represent them.

Eliminating collective… pic.twitter.com/sRTFDnB66f

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) March 7, 2025

Commentary

Allowing TSA employees to focus exclusively on union tasks has led to fewer trained personnel available for crucial screening roles. Airport security suffers when staff hired specifically to ensure safety abandon their primary duties. This setup has made airport lines unnecessarily long, causing inconvenience for millions of Americans each year.

Secretary Noem’s decision rightly prioritizes public safety over union demands. Taxpayer dollars should support TSA’s core mission: ensuring secure, efficient air travel—not subsidizing union activities.

Every TSA officer should contribute directly to the safety and efficiency of airports. Eliminating collective bargaining restores accountability, ensuring officers are dedicated solely to protecting travelers.

The Bottom Line

Secretary Noem’s decision to end collective bargaining at TSA prioritizes passenger safety and efficient travel over union bureaucracy. Taxpayer dollars will now directly support TSA’s mission, resulting in shorter lines and improved airport security nationwide.