Surge CanWe Meet The Challange?

 

 

BILL WOULD REVERSE DAVIS-BACON BAN—

A group of 25 senators led by Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) introduced legislation late last month to reverse President George W. Bush’s executive order suspending key wage protections for workers rebuilding the areas destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The Fair Wages for Hurricane Katrina Recovery Workers Act would ensure workers on federal rebuilding projects in the Gulf Coast are paid the prevailing local wage as required by the Davis-Bacon Act. Bush suspended the wage provisions Sept. 8 in one of his first acts after Katrina hit Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.) introduced a similar bill in the House. Two Republican members of Congress, Steven C. LaTourette (Ohio) and Frank LoBiondo (N.J.) introduced a resolution Oct. 7 to force the White House to provide any communications regarding contracts in the Gulf Coast when Bush suspended the Davis-Bacon rules. Meanwhile, 37 Republican members of Congress sent a letter to Bush asking that the Davis-Bacon rules be reinstated. LaTourette, who authored the letter along with LoBiondo, and the 37 House Republicans plan to take action on the House floor the week of Oct. 17 if the Bush administration does not alter the policy.

 

 

 

 

A Clear And Present Danger To All Federally Licensed Airport Employees And Airport Employees With Security Badges!

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

Fear Factor Rules at TSA

 

In a ruling that would make George Orwell blush, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced an aircraft mechanics’ FAA license could be revoked without warning if the new federal agency decides they represent a “security threat.”

 

Under the rule, enacted Jan. 24, 2003 without the customary period for public comment, the TSA gains extraordinary power over employees’ livelihoods without being required to explain how or why a license holder poses a security risk.

“Last month, the head of the TSA denied 50,000 airport screeners the right to union representation,” said IP Tom Buffenbarger. “Now, the department has given itself unprecedented power over anyone with an FAA license. This agency is systematically abusing the very rights and freedoms they were created to protect.”

 

In a chilling quote, TSA spokesman Robert Johnson told a reporter, “If you’re not a terrorist, you don’t have anything to worry about. He said the rule was merely a “technical correction” to an existing policy.

 

For More Information: www2.faa.gov/avr/arm/rinah84.pdf

 
 

In The Eyes Of The TSA Airport Workers Are The Enemy!

 

  "If you're not a terrorist you don't have anything to worry about"

Those were the reassuring words spoken to a reporter by a TSA spokesman in response to questions relating to the seemingly unlimited power of the TSA to deny airport workers the right to make a living based on internal decisions.

The fact is hundreds of airline employees are currently terminated from airlines and service companies all over the country for violating TSA security regulations. Violations range from minor lapses (brain farts) to more serious violations. The point here is not one of these people have been accused, associated with or even suggested of being terrorists yet their airport security badges have been pulled with little or no hope of getting them back. Everything from minor indiscretions to major violations are all treated the same. you're out and you're never getting back. The hearings are a joke and there is no real appeal. Even costly litigation holds no guarantee of success. The fact that everyone of these people have cleared multiple FBI ten year background checks and most have blemish free records with their employers and the airport authority means absolutely nothing to the TSA.

The TSA has a tough job keeping air travel safe for all of us, no one disputes that fact. However there are a lot of tough jobs in this world this should not give individuals or organizations involved in them the power to ruin peoples lives just because they can.

Security violations, no matter how small are serious, very serious and must be dealt with swiftly and the penalty must be such that it will serve to warn others to be more vigilant. That being said the penalty must also fit the crime. With no evidence of terrorists intentions the infraction must become a misdemeanor punishable by fine, temporary suspension, etc. depending on the severity of the infraction. The present policy being applied by the TSA in not only unreasonable and unfair, it is un-American!

Warning: Do not become involved in a security situation/violation. Read and understand the security rules and regulations pertaining to airport employees. Check the rules and regulations frequently as they are subject to change.  Know the difference between being and airport employee and a user of airport services (passenger). Lastly this is primarily a political deal  and being in the political arena to become involved and bring some fairness to this process will require letters and petitions to elected representatives.

Editor:

 

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