Local labor activists to show support for AFGE in TSA union election

MILWAUKEE, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Federation of Government Employees, the union for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in Milwaukee, throughout Wisconsin, and across the country, will be joined by Milwaukee labor organizations to show support and gratitude for the TSA workforce with two solidarity events May 24 at General Mitchell Airport.

"In appreciation of their hard work and commitment to protecting this nation, AFGE would publicly like to say 'thank you' to every TSO, and in particular, those in Milwaukee," AFGE National President Gage said. "We further thank the Milwaukee Area Labor Council for its support in standing with TSOs."

AFGE is competing for exclusive union representation at TSA. While AFGE received the most votes and won the first union election, the margin determined a runoff would be held, which is being held May 23-June 21.

"AFGE can truthfully and proudly say that we have been the only union at airports around the country for nine years fighting for the respect and dignity due TSOs," AFGE National President John Gage said. " As the only union with strong backing from the powerful AFL-CIO and its 12 million members—including the Milwaukee Area Labor Council—we have the utmost confidence that TSOs will join the tens of thousands of other DHS and law enforcement employees already represented by AFGE and vote overwhelmingly for AFGE."

TSOs in Milwaukee are part of AFGE Local 777, which covers airports in Wisconsin and Illinois.

AFGE is the only union to represent TSOs since the agency's inception, and currently has dues-paying members in 40 AFGE TSA Locals across the country. With more than 265,000 dues-paying members in more than 75 federal and D.C. government agencies, AFGE is the single largest federal employee union in the country.

For more information, please visit www.TSAUnion.com.

WHO:

AFGE Local 777 (Wisconsin and Illinois)

Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO

WHEN:

Tuesday, May 24; 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.

WHERE:

General Mitchell International Airport; main terminal lower level sidewalk near the sheriff's office

AFGE is the largest federal employee union representing 625,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including tens of thousands of DHS and law enforcement employees.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees