Brothers and Sisters,

Hello!

What a chaotic and tremendously stressful time we have all endured. Between government shutdowns, policy changes, uncertainty, and now the full swing of the summer travel season, it has been a difficult period for many of us. I sincerely hope that you and your families are beginning to recover from the challenges we have faced. I know it has not been easy.

So, where do I begin?

As many of you know, your Executive Board voted not to attend the Legislative Conference this past February due to the uncertainty and chaos we were already experiencing. Once things settled down somewhat, the Executive Board met to discuss when we should travel to Washington, D.C., to meet directly with the members of Congress representing our six states.

After discussion, it was decided and voted upon that we would make that trip this September, just before Congress is expected to finalize the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Our visit will also occur immediately following the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001. As Transportation Security Officers, that anniversary serves as a powerful reminder of why TSA was created, the sacrifices made by so many Americans, and the critical role we continue to play in protecting our nation’s transportation systems every single day. We believe this is an important time to remind Congress of that mission and the dedicated workforce that carries it out.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the process, Congress is supposed to pass a budget by October 1. If they fail to do so, they must either pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) or risk another government shutdown.

Personally, I believe Congress will likely rely on a Continuing Resolution until after the midterm elections in November. This is similar to what occurred during President Trump’s first term, ultimately leading to the historic shutdown that began around Christmas of 2018—the longest government shutdown in American history at that time.

Unfortunately, I believe we may be heading down a similar path. However, miracles can happen.

I am sharing this not to create fear, but to remind everyone of what we have experienced before and what could potentially happen again. Government shutdowns are difficult to prepare for, especially when many of us live paycheck to paycheck and have families who depend on us. I encourage you to prepare for the worst while continuing to hope and pray for the best.

With that said, I am asking each and every one of you to write a letter to your members of Congress.

Tell them how government shutdowns have personally affected you and your family. Explain the financial hardships, the stress, the uncertainty, the emotional and mental toll, and the challenges of balancing work, family, and everyday life during those periods.

Once your letter is complete, please email it to me at rebecca.wolf@local1127.com.

I intend to print every single letter we receive. We will place them into folders and personally hand-deliver them to the members of Congress representing our six states.

Many people have asked whether I truly believe these letters will be read or make a difference.

My answer is simple: I believe some of them will.

I pray they help our elected officials understand the real-world consequences of their decisions and the impact those decisions have had on federal employees and our families. If we do not try, then we fail not only ourselves, but also those who depend on us.

We must stand together in solidarity, use our voices, and ensure that they do not forget what we were forced to endure. That is why we are going to Washington, D.C., in person—to make them see us, hear us, and understand our experiences.

During the shutdown, many of your local leaders stepped forward to ensure our stories were heard. They participated in interviews with television stations, newspapers, radio programs, and online media outlets to shine a spotlight not only on airport delays and long lines, but on the officers and families who were suffering through the crisis.

RVP Angela Grana from Durango, Colorado, was relentless in her efforts, conducting interviews in both English and Spanish, not only throughout the United States but also with media outlets in Canada.

RVP Cameron Cochems from Boise, Idaho; RVP Tanja Fowler and former Local Steward Roberto Echeverria from Salt Lake City; RVP Samantha Dollens and Vice President Trang Kim; Local Stewards Grant Linscomb and Katie Gillmore from Portland; and I, your Local President, Rebecca Wolf, all continued speaking publicly on behalf of our membership.

While many expressed frustrations that the Union could not directly force Congress to pay us, we fought in every way available to us. We gave interviews, wrote letters to editors, submitted opinion pieces, reached out to community organizations, labor groups, and local businesses seeking support, and worked tirelessly to bring attention to what our members were facing.

Personally, I received calls from officers who needed assistance, information, encouragement, or simply someone to listen. I also received calls from complete strangers offering support, kindness, and words of encouragement after seeing our interviews.

At one point, I even appeared on TMZ, where viewers were encouraged to submit photos of members of Congress vacationing during spring break while federal employees were struggling to put food on the table and support their families.

The point is simple: We were fighting then, and we are still fighting now.

While the shutdown has ended for the time being, disciplinary actions have begun flowing through many of our airports like a stream that has turned into a waterfall. Some of these disciplinary actions stem from incidents dating back to last fall.

Your Executive Board and Stewards are working diligently to challenge inappropriate disciplinary actions and ensure every member receives fair representation and due process.

Before passing judgment or making comments that the Union has not done anything for you, I ask that you take a moment to consider everything that has been done, everything currently being done, and everything that will continue to be done on your behalf.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement remains in full force and effect. It has remained in effect throughout this entire period regardless of what management may have believed or attempted to imply.

We have all witnessed a significant shift in labor-management relations compared to previous years. Despite those challenges, we continue striving to maintain professional working relationships while firmly protecting our contractual rights and advocating for our members.

As we move forward, please remember:

#1 – WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS AND ENSURE YOU ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

#2 – WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT YOU.

#3 – WE ARE TSA LOCAL 1127, AND WE STAND TOGETHER FOR INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND LOYALTY.

Thank you for everything you do each and every day. Your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the traveling public do not go unnoticed.

Please do not forget to send your letters for Congress. Together, we can carry hundreds—hopefully thousands—of letters to Washington, D.C. and personally deliver them on your behalf.

In Solidarity,                                                             

Rebecca Wolf
President, AFGE TSA Local 1127