Senate votes for airport screeners union |
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Tue, 06 Mar 2007 18:47
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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate voted Tuesday to give 45,000 airport screeners the same union rights that border patrol, customs and immigration agents despite a veto threat from the White House.The 51-46 vote was on an amendment by Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., to remove the union rights from a broad anti-terrorism bill to implement recommendations of the 9/11 commission previously rejected by Congress.White House officials released a statement last week saying President Bush's senior advisers would recommend that he veto the bill if it includes the union provision for screeners.When Congress created the Homeland Security Department after the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, it specifically ruled out collective bargaining rights for screeners, who were becoming federal employees under the new Transportation Security Administration.There are about 53,000 Homeland Security employees who have collective bargaining rights, according to the American Federation of Government Employees.Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Senate debates airport screeners' union 