A TSA worker, sitting in a small room, looks at images of a potential traveler during a demonstration of the new Backscatter Advanced Imaging Technology scanner at Lambert/St. Louis International Airport in St. Louis on October 7, 2010. The new scanner in use in 58 U.S. airports, projects low level X-ray beams to create a reflection of the body, which is then displayed on a monitor. Many have objected to the use of the new machine since images of private parts of the body can be seen. The lone machine goes into service on October 8. UPI/Bill Greenblatt | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The Federal Labor Relations Authority says Transportation Security Administration employees will be allowed to vote on union representation.

Friday's ruling is a major victory for federal employee unions, and clears the way for a campaign by the government's two largest labor organizations to represent some 50,000 transportation security officers, The Washington Post reported.


"It is no secret that the morale of the TSO workforce is terrible as a result of favoritism, a lack of fair and respectful treatment from many managers, poor and unhealthy conditions in some airports, poor training and testing protocols and a poor pay system," said American Federation of Government Employees President John Gage. "The morale problems are documented by the government's own surveys. TSOs need a recognized union voice at work, and the important decision of the FLRA finally sets the process in motion to make that right a reality."

The National Treasury Employees Union was equally happy over the ruling.

"We will redouble our continuing efforts to win for TSA employees the right to bargain a contract before an election is concluded," said NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley. "That will be the best path to significant improvements in their work lives."

TSA employees have already joined both unions, but don't have collective bargaining rights. Gage said the election would let employees decide which of the two labor organizations will their exclusive representative.