Originally Posted by
Randyk47
Most Federal employees fall under OPM guidelines for relief from duty that cover both job performance causes and to a lesser extent off duty behavior. The protections are extensive and firing an employee, at least from a management point of view, is onerous. Within several Federal agencies there are excepted groups that are not affforded the same "protections" because of what is considered the special nature or sensitivity of their positions. The AFGE, the union that represents TSA agents, has made it a main focus to get screeners, etc., who are now in excepted positions back under the full OPM protective umbrella.
Screeners are treated like garbage because that is how TSA wants it.
Screener fall squarely within the arbitrary and capricious dictates of the TSA Administrator.
(d) <<NOTE: 49 USC 44935 note.>> Screener Personnel.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Under Secretary of Transportation for Security may employ, appoint, discipline, terminate, and fix the compensation, terms, and conditions of employment of Federal service for such a number of individuals as the Under Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out the screening functions of the Under Secretary under section 44901 of title 49, United States Code. The Under Secretary shall establish levels of compensation and other benefits for individuals so employed.
So where screeners have sought basic rights as Federal Employees - that almost ALL other Federal employees are priviledge with - TSA snubs its nose at screeners and claims "49 USC 44935 note says we do not have to basic law that apply to employment, even more so, we do not have to treat like anything but maybe second class individuals."