By Adam Andrezewski for Real Clear Politics
As part of the 4,000+ page, $1.7 trillion omnibus bill passed last month, the Transportation Security Administration would receive $400 million to raise the salaries of its employees, according to Reason.
The pay hike is modest compared to a bill lawmakers tried to pass in June, which would have cost $1.6 billion and raised salaries by about 30% across the board.
In addition to the $400 million in pay raises, the agency was also given $61 million to hire more employees and the right to collective bargaining, potentially increasing future pay raises.
The collective bargaining provision increases the likelihood of security checkpoint disruptions from future strikes. The agency was not specifically given collective bargaining rights when it was created because of the massive disruptions to US air travel that strikes can cause.
As the Cause report notes, the TSA has been ineffective in its work, routinely failing to search for weapons and prevent drugs from being smuggled onto planes.
Regardless, the agency will receive $10.2 billion in 2023, up from $8.8 billion in 2022.
These increases are not the result of service improvements. In contrast, a recent report by the US Government Accountability Office identified issues of discrimination in the screening process and problems in informing travelers about the complaint process.
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As most people who work in private sector jobs know, mediocrity is not usually rewarded with a raise. Fortunately for TSA employees and unfortunately for taxpayers, it’s up to the government.
Syndicated with permission from RealClearWire.
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