Examining Management Practices and Misconduct at TSA: Part I

TAKEAWAYS:

• As a result of a chilling culture of intimidation and retaliation at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), security gaps go unaddressed, and senior employees are not held accountable for misconduct.
• The TSA Office of Inspections instills fear in the workforce by abusing integrity testing as a way to improve its own performance metrics at the expense of blameless line employees.
• Directed reassignments are used to force out disfavored employees. Further, the costs associated with the reassignments are exorbitant and wasteful.
• TSA was once again ranked one of the worst places to work in the federal government, ranking 313 out of 320.
• The Committee will conduct a follow-up hearing in May with Administrator Peter Neffenger.

PURPOSE:

• To examine systemic management and leadership challenges facing the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the toll it takes on their workforce.
• To hear from current TSA employees who will share firsthand experiences related to retaliation,intimidation, and improper use of directed reassignments, both in the field and from TSA headquarters.

BACKGROUND:

• As part of its ongoing investigation into TSA, the Committee previously requested documents from TSA related to executive misconduct, cash bonuses, and directed reassignments.
• In November 2015, the Committee questioned TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger and the Department of Homeland Security inspector general at a hearing on potential security gaps within TSA. The hearing highlighted the need for TSA to adopt a more proactive approach in effectively addressing flaws within the agency.

KEY VIDEOS:

 Transportation and Public Assets Subcommittee Chairman John Mica (R-FL): “TSA can’t recruit, it can’t train, it can’t retain, it can’t schedule, and it can’t manage the huge bureaucracy that’s been created.”

Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA):“Mr. Chairman, I just have to tell you, I’m pretty disgusted right now and I’m looking forward to us having another hearing.”