ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Labor unions and other airport groups from around the Orlando area will show their support for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) by signing a statement of solidarity at an event December 17 at Orlando International Airport. In addition, Debra Boothe, district director for U.S. Rep. Alan Grayson will attend on the congressman's behalf, and Eatonville Mayor Bruce Mount has been invited to attend. There will be a solidarity walk through the airport at 9 a.m., starting on the ground level, "A" side of the airport. The walk will end at the food court, where the solidarity event will be held.

The statements are being signed in conjunction with the American Federation of Government Employees and the AFL-CIO's National TSO Solidarity Week, with events being held in more than 30 cities nationwide. The statement reads, in part, "[TSOs] are the front line of homeland security. Just as you work hard every day to protect us, and everyone who utilizes our nation's airlines, we will support you in your struggle for justice on the job."

In stark contrast to other employees at the Department of Homeland Security, and most other federal employees, TSOs are denied the basic workplace rights they so rightly deserve. AFGE has worked for eight years to have these rights restored.

AFGE Local 556 represents TSOs in Tampa, Stanford, Dayton, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Panama City, Pensacola, Sarasota, Clearwater and Orlando, Florida. AFGE has represented the TSA workforce since the agency was created in 2001. The union currently has approximately 12,000 dues-paying TSA members at more than 100 airports in 36 union Locals nationwide.

AFGE is the largest federal employee union representing 600,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia, including tens of thousands of DHS employees.

SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees