Federal Daily - November 7, 2008

Buoyed by Democratic Win, Union to Ramp Up TSO Efforts

Reenergized by Tuesday’s election results, federal union officials said they will again push for collective bargaining rights for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport screeners. One day after Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., won the race to the White House, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) announced it was re-launching its nationwide effort to recruit thousands of TSA Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) into the union. Obama and AFGE President John Gage met on several occasions before the election and Obama offered support for AFGE’s efforts, the union said in a statement. In an Oct. 20 letter to AFGE, Obama wrote that “it is unacceptable for TSOs to work under unfair rules and without workplace protections … Collective bargaining rights ensure that federal agencies run as effectively as possible and are able to focus on protecting our national security.” The union also will continue to encourage the adoption of H.R. 3212, introduced by Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., which would repeal laws that give the TSA administrator free rein to set workplace conditions, AFGE said. “TSOs only ask for the same rights as other federal workers and simply want a systematic and fair manner to deal with real day-to-day issues in the workplace, that when appropriately resolved, result in a strong, loyal workforce,” Gage said. To see more, go to:  www.afge.org/index.cfm?page=PressReleases&PressReleaseID=903.

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GSA Turns Over Transition HQ to Obama Team

With the election of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as the next president, General Services Administration (GSA) acting Administrator James A. Williams on Nov. 5 turned over the presidential transition headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C., to the Obama transition team. Providing the transition headquarters, which includes approximately 120,000 square feet of furnished and computer-equipped office space, is part of the GSA charge to support the incoming administration during a change at the White House. Under the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, GSA is responsible for providing the new administration with office space, information technology, furniture, equipment, and other logistical support. GSA is also responsible for publishing a transition directory, arranging orientation briefings for new appointees and releasing funds for day-to-day transition operations. “This is an historic moment for our nation and for GSA,” said GSA Presidential Transition Director Gail Lovelace. “Our team has worked more than two years to complete this headquarters and help facilitate the orderly transfer of executive power.” To see more, go to:  www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/home.do?tabId=15

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President-Elect Names Transition Team

In preparation for his Jan. 20 inauguration, President-elect Barack Obama has named the transition team that will help the new administration as it moves into the White House. The Obama-Biden Transition Project, working informally for the months leading up to the election, has been formally organized as a 501(c)(4) political nonprofit, the team announced on Nov. 5. It will be headed by three co-chairs: John Podesta, the fourth and final White House chief of staff under President Clinton and now the head of the Center for American Progress; Valerie Jarrett, a senior Obama campaign adviser; and Pete Rouse, Obama’s campaign chief of staff. They will oversee an advisory board and transition team staff. Among the more familiar names on the advisory board are Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Carol Browner, Clinton Commerce Secretary William Daley and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D). National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Colleen Kelley said the union was prepared to work with the transition team. “For our part, NTEU has already been hard at work on transition issues and will be submitting information to the new administration,” Kelley said in a statement. To see more, go to:  www.change.gov or www.nteu.org/Documents/Post-Election.htm.

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