TSA Officers Deserve Public Safety Officer Benefits, Union Says

Bill introduced by Rep. Julie Brownley would extend benefits to families of fallen officers

News provided by

American Federation of Government Employees

Sep 17, 2015, 03:04 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees is grateful for the continued support our Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) have received from Congresswoman Julia Brownley of California. The Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers' Act, reintroduced by Rep. Brownley on Sept. 17, would extend Public Safety Officers' Benefits to TSA employees, including TSOs, inspectors, air marshals and others, who are killed or traumatically wounded in the line of duty.

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The American Federation of Government Employees is urging lawmakers to pass legislation introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., that would extend Public Safety Officers' Benefits to Transportation Security Officers and other TSA employees who are killed or traumatically wounded in the line of duty. AFGE represents 45,000 TSA employees across the country.
The American Federation of Government Employees is urging lawmakers to pass legislation introduced by Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., that would extend Public Safety Officers' Benefits to Transportation Security Officers and other TSA employees who are killed or traumatically wounded in the line of duty. AFGE represents 45,000 TSA employees across the country.

"Transportation Security Officers are often the first line of defense against threats to our aviation, railways, ports, and transportation systems," Congresswoman Brownley said. "Our nation should provide fallen TSA officers and their families with the same benefits made available to the families of other federal law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, such as firefighters and police officers. It is the right thing to do."

Rep. Brownley first introduced the bill in 2014 after Gerardo Hernandez became the first TSO killed in the line of duty during an attack on a TSA checkpoint at Los Angeles International Airport in 2013. Two other TSOs also were wounded by gunfire in the attack. In March 2015, another TSO was injured at a New Orleans International Airport checkpoint by an assailant armed with a machete.

"Incidents like those in Los Angeles and New Orleans should never happen again, but if they do, their families deserve the same benefits as any other officer who gives it all defending their communities," AFGE National President J. David Cox Sr. said.

"We are happy Rep. Brownley has not given up in her fight to do right by our TSA officers and their families."

AFGE urges Congress to recognize the sacrifices TSA employees make in the defense of our nation's security by passing the Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers' Act.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. AFGE represents 45,000 Transportation Security Administration employees across the country.

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SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

Related Links

http://www.afge.org

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