PRIVATIZING ... THE UNIONS' WORST NIGHTMARE 

The unions have won yet another battle, edging closer to complete unionization of the TSA. You may not realize it, but since the creation of the TSA in 2001 there has been another airport security program called the Screening Partnership Program. The program, which currently exists in 16 airports, allows the airports to replace government screeners with private screeners. Now, in the wake of the enhanced security measures, more airports are applying for the program. Unfortunately, none of those airports will have the luxury of being able to oust their government-employee TSA agents and replace them with private workers. Why? Because TSA chief John Pistole has decided that he will not allow the program to expand any further because he doesn't see an advantage to it. He says, "I examined the contractor screening program and decided not to expand the program beyond the current 16 airports as I do not see any clear or substantial advantage to do so at this time."

The general consensus is that Pistole is caving to union demands. He knows that the more airports choose to privatize, the less likely it will be that the TSA will gain collective bargaining rights. Naturally, a union for the TSA employees has declared its support for Pistole's decision. John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, says "The nation is secure in the sense that the safety of our skies will not be left in the hands of the lowest-bidder contractor, as it was before 9/11 ... We applaud Administrator Pistole for recognizing the value in a cohesive federalized screening system and work force."

Why the union resistance to private screeners? Well it's pretty simple. Unions don't like competition. Anyone who demonstrates an ability to do something better, or smarter or faster is seen as the enemy. Unions are looking for any way possible to increase their numbers and their power. Customers, employers, clients, students, voters, taxpayers ... these are all people to be exploited or just run over in the quest for union power. In the private sector, you MUST be concerned about serving the customer or the client or the students, because if you don't, you will lose your job. Amazing, isn't it? You will be held accountable for the job that you do. If you do a poor job, you can be fired. If your team as a whole does a poor job, your company could lose its contract. So that company is constantly working to make sure that it is pleasing the people it is serving. That's capitalism! The TSA on the other hand, on the verge of obtaining collective bargaining rights, is not interested in serving the passengers and crew members who fly in our airports. Nope. They are not concerned about safety or customer service. In the end, they will not lose their jobs if they are protected by the big brother of government and unions. Is that what you want for your future in our nation's airports? I didn't think so.