Reps. Tlaib, Dingell Call on TSA to Safeguard DTW Employees Health, Wellbeing During COVID—19 Crisis

DETROIT—Today, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-13) and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) sent a letter to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske calling on the agency to safeguard the health and wellbeing of TSA employees at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) during the COVID—19 crisis, as well as answer a series of questions about its response plan going forward.

The letter comes amid news that a TSA worker at DTW tested positive for COVID-19 and other direct reports from workers of unsafe working conditions they’re facing at Michigan’s busiest airport.

“Frontline TSA employees have bravely continued to report for duty during this pandemic. It is only right that every possible step is taken to ensure the safety and security of these employees throughout the duration of this crisis,” the lawmakers wrote. “While the rapid spread of the virus has made it difficult to counter, it is clear that the TSA’s efforts to protect its employees at DTW have been insufficient to date.”

Among the questions Reps. Tlaib and Dingell want Administrator Pekoske to answer are what TSA procedures are once it has been notified a member of its workforce has tested positive for COVID—19 and whether the agency plans to submit a request for employee hazard pay to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

The full letter and list of questions can be read here.

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