Pelosi's message to voters? Ethics, shmethics

You may ask...how does this effect me?. You represent the people, this is News worthy, and it will effect the life's and families of 56,000 Security Screeners.
AFGE's is one of the largest Union organizations in our nation.
Please do the right thing.

L J Coon

"AFGE's Chuck Hobbie said TSA screeners need union representation to boost low morale. Hobbie cited arbitrary firings, long shifts and a lack of respect for screeners' religious beliefs".

A body of the United Nations ruled Wednesday that the 56,000 baggage screeners in the Transportation Security Administration have the right to bargain collectively. The unenforceable opinion, released by the UN's International Labor Office, came in response to a complaint filed by the American Federation of Government Employees.

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1106/111606r1.htm

TSA oversight committee:

The TSA operates out of 429 Airports across the U.S.
The procurement of security screening services for passenger, checkpoint and checked baggage operations cost roughly 5.3 million dollars a month for the larger Airports.
TSA pays the Security Screeners $23,600. per year to search for Explosives.
(Please Post My Story)
EEO has appointed Investigator's. I have filed my affidavit with them. Now we are in a waiting period. If your asking me what is this? Then Please take the time to review how many TSA Screeners across the Nation, have been handed their Termination papers. It cost $43,000. dollars to train One TSA Security Screener, and the attrition rate continues to skyrocket while Trained Security Screeners are being Terminated.
Each of the 429 TSA Airports have Facility Security Director's (FSD), assigned to see that
The TSA system runs, (at any costs).

http://news.morningstar.com/news/DJ/M11/D02/200611020919DOWJONESDJONLINE000713.html?Cat=WashWire

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0706/072106j1.htm

http://www.govexec.com/mailbagDetails.cfm?aid=34589

My religious (deeply held personal beliefs), were already in place when I selected the occupation of Baggage Security Screener. In my heart, if the TSA at anytime would have said, “The only thing we have is Passenger Security Screener”, let me read you the requirements can you accept this position. I would have declined, why, because of my religious (deeply held personal beliefs). Transportation Security Screener (Baggage) SV-0019-D $24,426.00 Lead Transportation Security Screener Baggage SV-0019-F $31,100.00 Manchester Airport Manchester, NH. I was baptized as a Methodist. I took the initial TSA Security Screeners test exam 2 times. The first time I applied, and tested, and qualified for a Supervisors position but placed in a waiting pool. The second time I tested, and qualified was for a basic Security Screener position, in the Baggage department. Each time I applied I had an option to select / request which position I preferred. I made a conscious decision to support my Country, as a Baggage Security Screener. After 9-11-2001 the Nation slowly learned the job description of the Airport Security Screeners. I didn't develop my religious belief system while employed at the TSA. Though, realizing that your job description is looking for Explosive Devices, invites you to hope you have your life in order. My religious (deeply held personal beliefs), were already in place when I selected the occupation of Baggage Security Screener. In my heart, if the TSA at anytime would have said, “The only thing we have is Passenger Security Screener”, let me read you the requirements can you accept this position. I would have declined, due to my religious (deeply held personal beliefs). The TSA never asked me to perform Full-Body Pat Down Searches. I was hired on January-20-2004 by the TSA, and trained as a Baggage Screener by Lockheed Martin. On February-8-2004 I was hired by the TSA as a Transportation Security Screener for the Baggage department at Manchester Airport, 2nd shift. On February-06-2005 I was promoted to Lead Transportation Security Screener in the Baggage department at (MHT) Manchester Airport

My Lead in Baggage: was Mr. Scott Gschwin. Mr. Scott Gschwin was assigned as my Baggage area Lead upon my initial appointment to the TSA Manchester Baggage department. Mr. Scott Gschwin was made aware of my request for reasonable accommodations. “I still consider you a friend of mine and I will do anything I can to help. I think it would be great for you to get your job back. TSA, as I've always said, needs more people like you”.

My first line supervisor: was Adam Price. Mr. Adam Price came to the TSA with a former career as a Police Officer with the Portsmouth Police department. Mr. Adam Price was assigned to the Baggage department from his initial appointment with the TSA. Mr. Adam Price is currently with the TSA in Wilmington, NC. Mr. Adam Price was made aware of my request for reasonable accommodations. “L J Nice to hear from you…I’m in Wilmington on the a.m. shift”

My second line supervisor: was Kenneth Kreb. Mr. Kenneth Kreb came to the TSA with a background from the United States Air Force. Mr. Kenneth Kreb is currently at Manchester Airport. Mr. Kenneth Kreb was made aware of my request for reasonable accommodations. “Please don’t write to me on my e-mail…I have a career with the TSA, and want to keep it”.

My Acting Baggage area screening manager: was Harold Shaw. Mr. Harold Shaw came to the TSA from Ruger’s Gun Manufacturing. Mr. Harold Shaw is currently employed with TSA Manchester Airport. Mr. Harold Shaw was made aware of my request for reasonable accommodations. “I'll try not to steer you wrong. I always had a great deal of respect for you”.

Notice of Removal for failure to follow Instructions (Failure to report for Mandatory Dual Function Training)

Raymond A. Carolan Federal Security Director Manchester Airport“This is to notify you that I have decided to remove you from your position with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), effective close of business ”

Reason: “Failure to follow instructions (failure to report for mandatory Dual Function Training).”The date I was scheduled to report for mandatory Dual Function Training, that Mr. Raymond A. Carolan raymond.carolan@dhs.gov 1-603-305-3882 is referring to was…Monday (which was my regular day off). I reported to my position as Lead Security Baggage Screener, and Mr. Raymond A. Carolan sent Mr. David Hill, to remove me from my position as lead Security Baggage Screener. They were aware of my request for reasonable accommodation. They were also aware of my religious, and spiritual objections to the one element of training (Hand on Full Body Pat Down Searches). I was told that I could not attend the training session, if I could not perform that one component. I performed my regular duties until removed. I was the Lead in Manchester’s busiest Baggage Area on that day, (Southwest Airlines), and we were operating with 2 Screeners, when I was abruptly removed. (Southwest Airlines Baggage area normal operation demands 9 Screeners 1 Lead Screener, and 2 Supervisor’s). I was removed from my Lead position. The very minimal staffing at that time, placed the Southwest Airlines Baggage area at risk. Supervisor Kenneth Kreb was on duty at the time. Mr. Raymond A. Carolan (FSD), Fred Aufiero (AFSD) fred.aufiero@dhs.gov 1-603-660-0292 , David Wood (Office), David Hill (Office), Steven Nelson (H R), Harold Shaw (Screening Manager), Adam Price (Supervisor), Kenneth Kreb (Supervisor), and 163 Security Screeners (Baggage & Passenger), were all made aware of my request for reasonable accommodations.

Since my termination: I was hired as a TSA Baggage Screener at Las Vegas Airport with a reporting date of 3-16-2006, and I was also asked to come and Test again as a Baggage Screener for Dulles Airport in Sterling VA. After the TSA at Manchester Airport denied me the right to collect unemployment benefits, causing a great hardship for me, and my family. I contacted Human Resources in Las Vegas, and asked if it was possible to provide relocation benefits, but they were unable to assist me with my request. Due to financial hardship I could not afford to relocate, or move my family, so I could not accept either position. (The TSA did not offer relocation pay).

I was being asked to perform, what is described as, a Full Body Pat Down by the Transportation Security Administration, (after 19 months of employment my job description was being altered). I was baptized Methodist in 1966. My religious (deeply held personal beliefs), were already in place when I selected the occupation of Baggage Security Screener. Consequently, In my heart, if the TSA at anytime would have said, “The only thing we have is Passenger Security Screener”, let me read you the requirements can you accept this position. I would have declined, (and did decline a supervisor position for this reason prior to being offered a Baggage Screening position at Manchester), why, because of my religious (deeply held personal beliefs). The Methodist Teachings include a “Do No Harm” belief structure. Growing up as a Methodist I continue to practice a daily life, which will spiritually “Do No Harm” to either others or myself. Asking me to cross such a boundary presents a spiritual dilemma for me. Passenger Screeners must be able to conduct physical searches upon a multitude of human beings. Some are disabled, or incapacitated. Some are resistant for many reasons. My religious Methodist upbringing combined with my spiritual conscience argues with this task. I deeply and continuously question the balance. Working in the baggage area eliminates all doubt of such a spiritual dilemma for me. This life/spiritual choice also includes many other deeply honored life choices that I try to uphold on a daily basis. Consciously invading another person’s privacy, male or female, goes against my “Do No Harm” beliefs. I also could not accept a position as a prison guard for the same reasons. Medical Personnel I see as different, because they directly help the individual that they are crossing boundaries for. I cannot say they same thing for the other two mentioned professions. I was not hired to perform this physical hands-on function. I consciously chose the baggage area for that reason. Now I am being denied the right to serve my Country because of my spiritual conflict, and personal beliefs.

14 Screeners: were terminated that I know of: Some in Passenger for not wanting to, or for physically being unable to work in the Baggage environment. Some Screeners in Baggage preferred not to cross-train, to the Passenger environment. I am unsure of if others were for religious beliefs. I was not present during the Dual Function Training, because during the classroom environment you were asked to demonstrate the Full Body Pat Down. This is the one component of the cross-training (Dual Function Training), I could not perform. I understand that Lockheed Martin witnessed the lack of enthusiasm by the Screeners. I understand that all control of the Dual Function Training class was lost at that time. The Lockheed Martin Instructors had to call in Mr., Fred Aufiero (AFSD) to restore the classroom. This basically involved typical threatening, and loss of employment for some.

I was terminated by Raymond A. Carolan, the Facility Security Director (FSD). My Baggage area Screening Manager Mr. Harold Shaw, My First Line Baggage area Supervisor Mr. Adam Price, my Second Line Baggage area Supervisor Mr. Kenneth Kreb, Screening Manager David Hill, and Fred Aufiero Assistant Facility Security Director (AFSD), tried to work through Mr. Raymond A. Carolan’s requirement of cross-training all Security Screeners at Manchester Airport. Mr. Raymond A. Carolan, denied all efforts. I never spoke with Mr. Raymond A. Carolan, I was encouraged to follow chain of command, but was never offered employee counseling. I was encouraged by my superiors to ask if the pat down requirement could be waived. I also asked for, and again was encouraged by my Superiors, for a waiver to accommodate me for remaining in the baggage area since; I was training the developmentals that came to the Baggage environment. There are many Security Screeners working in the Baggage Department who really don’t want to work in Baggage. These Security Screeners prefer the Passenger environment. It is dangerous working in the Baggage Department. It is a very Industrial environment, the noise levels are extreme. The Dirt is unmanageable. The Machinery has injured many Baggage Security Screeners in the past and most likely will continue to do so. As if the nature of the job requirements are not dangerous enough. Some of the Baggage that transitions through the Baggage environment exceeds 100 pounds. Mr. Raymond A. Carolan, Federal Security Director (FSD), Manchester Airport. “In the efforts to promote the efficiency of the service”, implemented policy to cross train Security Screeners at Manchester Airport for duel function 19 months after I was hired in to the Manchester facility. This is not a National Policy. The TSA allows for each Facility Security Director to decide whether or not to become Dual Function Certified.After 19 months of employment my job description was altered. Upon accepting the TSA Screening Position, Every TSA applicant (as far as I know), had an opportunity to apply for the Option of area that they wanted to work in (Baggage or Passenger). At that time, each applicant was provided with an overview of what each position would require.

Reading these requirements…I immediately knew that I could serve my Country physically, and spiritually as a Baggage Security Screener. At no time, not once during the hiring process, training, and testing was I ever asked to perform a full body pat down. It was never mentioned that we would any of us would be forced to cross train during any of these vital hiring times. On January 16-2004 I received a call from (Accenture), a company that the TSA contacts with to process & hire applicants for the Security Screener positions. I was asked if I would accept a position with the TSA as a Baggage Security Screener, and could I be in training on a particular date (Sterling, VA) Training with Lockheed Martin. (I accepted their invitation) During my Training in Sterling, VA with Lockheed Martin, as I stated earlier, There was absolutely no mention of passenger training, or the possibility of future cross training of duties. After completing my Baggage Security Screener Training, I returned to the TSA Offices at 4 Technology Drive Londonderry, NH. During all my processing in, there was never any written, or verbal mention of passenger training, or the possibility of future cross training of duties. I was assigned to the 2nd shift as a Baggage Security Screener.

On September-13-2006: I was removed from my position as Lead Transportation Security Screener in the Baggage department at Manchester Airport. To my knowledge as of this date: All essential personal. (Baggage Screeners, Passenger Screeners, Lead Security Screeners, Supervisor Security Screeners, and Screening Managers) are being or have been scheduled for a cross-training / dual function training class. However, not all screeners were able to comply. There has been 14 Screeners terminated, that I know of, and perhaps more. Those that are not essential personal: Are either located or being re-located to the TSA offices at 4 Technology Drive Londonderry, NH They will staff the front desk, or in other office positions. Those non-essential personal have none at all or no current experience in the Security Screener environment.

The TSA at Manchester Airport were familiar with offering accommodation, such as providing Sunday off for certain employees. Providing a paid, TSA Van to transport Screeners, Leads, Supervisors from a satellite airport (PSM), so they could get hourly pay. Because the satellite Airport (PSM) could not support / justify the TSA employee’s salary, due to very low passenger count throughout the day. Some Screeners scheduled for cross-training, left Manchester Airport and transferred to this satellite Airport (PSM), to not cross-train to the Manchester Baggage department. Yet they can return to Manchester Airport, in a TSA paid Van, get paid for riding for 2 hours, and get out of cross-training to the Baggage department. Yes. I made my request clear a number of times to my supervisors, and to other co-workers. I was told that I must perform this function to be able to go through the Cross Training Class. I ask if that one component of the cross training could be taken out as an accommodation for my beliefs. I believed that my request had been taken to heart, and would be granted when I was rescheduled for the second round of Cross Training Classes. Again, I had no issue with attending class training, only with this one component of the training. I was told I could not attend if I would not physically perform this function on a live person during the training class. Let me respond by reflecting back on a time in particular when Mr. Fred Aufiero Assistant Federal Security Director came to the Baggage department to address my concerns about the Dual Function Cross Training:

Mr. Fred Aufiero (AFSD) asked me: “L J, I understand that you are not interested in attending the cross-training”. Is it Medial or Religious?

My response was: “It is religious (my personal beliefs) will not allow me to do the one element of Full Body Pat Down.”

Mr. Fred Aufiero the Assistant Federal Security Directors response was: “Do you think you could wear 4- pairs of gloves”, to do the pat-downs?” This was said in a jovial manner. I asked to remain in Baggage, and I also asked to be transferred to another position.

Mr. Fred Aufiero (AFSD): offered that he would talk to Raymond A. Carolan (FSD) on my behalf.

Mr. Fred Aufiero (AFSD): never responded to me, my Manager, or my Supervisors.

I have an excellent record at Manchester Airport. Including an excellent Evaluation; I was nominated as Screener of the Year. I have received cash awards for my performance. I had perfect attendance, usually working 60 hours per week, 6 days a week, and was called in on off hours for special situations. I was also ask to work overtime to cover for all the screeners who were attending cross training class. I did this without question to support the team effort. Every effort that was made either by myself, or from Mediation, to negotiate with TSA Management for the purpose of allowing me to participate in the Dual Function Training environment at Manchester Airport fell on deaf ears, and was unsuccessful. From mediation, telephone conferencing, one on one, requesting a mannequin like they do with C.P.R., Non-contact simulation of the act, requesting a transfer to another position within the agency, or to allowing me to remain in the Baggage department with other specified duties. No Employee Counseling was ever offered.

As of this date: A full year since requesting reasonable accommodations and asking for some form of fair negotiation. The TSA management at Manchester Airport has not offered any accommodations. Let me respond by reflecting back on a time when Mr. Fred Aufiero Assistant Federal Security Director came to the Baggage department to address my concerns about the Dual Function Training:

Mr. Fred Aufiero (AFSD) asked me: “L J, I understand that you are not interested in attending the cross-training”.Is it Medical or Religious?” Mr. Fred Aufiero (AFSD) asked me.

My response was: “It is religious (my personal beliefs) will not allow me to do the one element of full Body Pat Down.”

Mr. Fred Aufiero the Assistant Federal Security Directors response was: “Do you think you could wear 4- pairs of gloves?”, to do the pat-downs, He ask in a jovial manner. At that time I also asked again to remain in Baggage, or to be transferred to another position.

Mr. Fred Aufiero (AFSD): offered that he “would talk to Raymond A. Carolan (FSD) on my behalf.”

I was not offered employee counsel from any TSA agency program such as EAP. Because of my deep spiritual personal beliefs, I could not take part in the process of the Full Body Pat Down Searches. I was wrongfully terminated, and TSA Management informed the employment office that my employment was terminated because of insubordination. In fact I was not allowed, to attend training unless I would agree to perform a full-contact-full-body-pat-down. No accommodation, counseling, or negotiation was offered to help me retain my position. A severe hardship was caused for my family by the denial of unemployment benefits. The financial inability to accept another TSA Baggage Screening position from another airport was also denied me due to the inability to relocate from lack of funds and resources to do so. My religious (deep personal beliefs), would not allow me to participate in that one element of Full Body Pat Downs. Therefore I conclude that my religious and spiritual beliefs are the reason for termination. Since I would have no other reason to behave in what was called an “insubordinate” manner. You have only to review my work history, and evaluations to confirm this statement. I would not purposefully give up a meaningful career, and the support for my Country without good cause, or deep spiritual, religious, and personal beliefs. I also find conflict with the fact that the TSA has offered me other airport positions if I am able to relocate. This would indicate that the TSA in general, does not hold me “insubordinate”. The Manchester TSA Management was invited to be aware of my reasonable request for accommodations. Mr. Fred Aufiero (AFSD), asked me directly…”Is it Medical or Religious”? If I was not terminated for my religious, and deeply held spiritual beliefs then I would have to suspect some sort of retaliation reason. Since my record was spotless prior to this incident. I believe I was not accommodated for my religious and spiritual beliefs, and I was wrongfully terminated, through a possible retaliation for previously discovering that the screeners which were assigned to the Baggage department were clearing screened items that the computer tagged as being baggage that should have been brought down for search. This meant that those items made it onto passenger carrying aircraft at Manchester Airport. After I reported this situation to my Supervisor, and area Manager, an investigation followed which involved management from the top down to every Security Screener. I was told later that 65% of these Screeners were doing this.

Respectfully,

L J Coon

Email: starrtrac6@aol.com

Additional TSA Screener related mishaps:

http://www.govexec.com/mailbagDetails.cfm?aid=34589

Pelosi should go to Iraq and see the good. And she should wear a big bulls-eye. This is a fashion statement, nothing else.