From the latest "TSO Voice" union rag, discussing the voodoo science program. The AFGE union, of course, cares even less than DHS HQ that the program is silly - they just won't roll over when their dues-paying members have their jobs threatened. Because that's what this union does.



Aug. 29, 2014

TSA Announces New Restructuring of BDO Program

In a series of calls and conference calls on Thursday, TSA management informed AFGE representatives of new plans for changes to the Behavior Detection Officers (BDO) program. The bottom line of the new restructuring is that management has decided to eliminate full-time BDO positions at 35 airports in addition to the previous round of cuts to BDOs.

AFGE Council 100 President Hydrick Thomas and Vice President Alan Jackimowicz, along with AFGE General Counsel David Borer, were informed of the announcement prior to release of information to the FSDs. Following the FSDs’ briefing, a conference call was held in which Thomas, Jackimowicz, and Borer were able to ask questions and receive additional, although still limited details. FSDs have been directed to immediately contact AFGE Local Presidents at the affected airports to go over the changes and to lay out management’s plans for presenting the information to the affected employees.

Of the 35 airports affected, four are Category 1 airports and the remaining 31 are Category 2 airports. The changes will result in the elimination of 246 BDO positions. After these changes are fully implemented, the BDO program will remain in 87 airports, down from the current 122.

AFGE once again argued its position that, particularly in light of the LAX shooting incident, the union believes there is a need for more BDOs, not less. The agency indicated the cuts are based on budget and Risk Based Security considerations. Nevertheless, AFGE continues to advocate that the BDO program is an important layer in the overall security operation.

AFGE representatives on the conference call pressed for protections for the BDOs who will bear the brunt of these latest changes. We have been given assurances that protections offered last time re: 2-year pay protection, reassignment/relocation rights, etc. will be honored again for this round. Exact details will be provided to the affected employees by mid-September and the changes are expected to be fully implemented by mid-November.

In the meantime, there will be ongoing meetings and conference calls with TSA management to stay on top of the restructuring. While the impact of the changes will again be devastating to many of the BDOs in these airports, communication about the restructuring seems to be improving over the last time.

As always, AFGE will fight to make sure our BDOs are treated fairly, and we will continue to advocate to have the BDO program expanded. More details will be passed along as soon as we have them available.

Airports Affected by 2014 BDO Program Cuts

BGR Bangor International Airport (Bangor, ME)
BIL Billings Logan International Airport (Billings, MT)
BTV Burlington International Airport (Burlington, VT)
CAE Columbia Metropolitan Airport (Columbia, SC)
CAK Akron-Canton Airport (North Canton, OH)
CRW Yeager Airport (Charleston, WV)
DAY Dayton International Airport (Dayton, OH)
DSM Des Moines International Airport (Des Moines, IA)
FAI Fairbanks International Airport (Fairbanks, AK)
FAT Fresno Yosemite International Airport (Fresno, CA)
GPT Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport (Gulfport, MS)
GRB Austin Straubel International Airport (Green Bay, WI)
GRR Gerald R. Ford International Airport (Grand Rapids, MI)
GSO Piedmont Triad International Airport (Greensboro, NC)
GSP Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (Greer, SC)
HPN Westchester County Airport (White Plains, NY)
HSV Huntsville International Airport (Huntsville, AL)
ICT Wichita Mid-Continent Airport (Wichita, KS)
ISP Long Island MacArthur Airport (Ronkonkoma, NY)
JAN Jackson-Evers International Airport (Jackson, MS)
KOA Kona International Airport (Kailua-Kona, HI)
LGB Long Beach Airport (Long Beach, CA)
LIH Lihue Airport (Lihue, HI)
MAF Midland International Airport (Midland, TX)
MLI Quad City International Airport (Moline, IL)
MYR Myrtle Beach International Airport (Myrtle Beach, SC)
PNS Pensacola International Airport (Pensacola, FL)
PSP Palm Springs International Airport (Palm Springs, CA)
SAV Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (Savannah, GA)
SFB Orlando Sanford International Airport (Sanford, FL)
SHV Shreveport Regional Airport (Shreveport, LA)
SRQ Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (Sarasota, FL)
SWF Stewart International Airport (New Windsor, NY)
TYS McGhee Tyson Airport (Alcoa, TN)
XNA Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (Bentonville, AR)