TSA workers poised to unionize after labor agreement

Transportation Security Administration workers are poised to unionize after striking a labor agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees.

The agreement follows pushback last year from Republicans on Capitol Hill worried that a big union presence through the TSA ranks could stifle the organization's flexibility in response to security threats.

But supporters of TSA unionization have called these warnings unrealistic.

AFGE announced the agreement with TSA workers in a brief statement Thursday morning.

The agreement now goes to nearly 45,000 workers for approval.

TSA bosses last year granted workers the ability to collectively bargain.

Under the plan, TSA screeners would be prohibited from striking, just like other federal employees.

The National Treasury Employees Union had competed against AFGE to represent the TSA workers.