Washington ( CNN ) -- The head of the Transportation Security Administration ( TSA ) on Friday gave the nation 's 40,000-plus airport screeners the opportunity to engage in limited collective bargaining , pressing ahead on a hot-button issue that has separated Republicans and Democrats since the creation of the TSA after the 2001 terrorist attacks . When Congress created the TSA in 2003 , it gave the administrator the authority to decide whether or not screeners should be allowed to engage in collective bargaining . Bush administration TSA chiefs opted not to endorse bargaining , saying it would impede their ability to protect the public . On Friday , TSA Administrator John Pistole announced he would allow airport screeners to select a union for collective bargaining , or to forgo bargaining . In a statement , Pistole said sitting down at a bargaining table with screeners would not jeopardize the nation . `` The safety of the traveling public is our top priority and we will not negotiate on security , '' Pistole said . Indeed , the paper outlining his decision precludes negotiations on security policies , pay , pensions and compensation , proficiency testing , job qualifications and discipline standards . It also will prohibit screeners from striking or engaging in work slowdowns . The announcement gives added weight to a recent Federal Labor Relations Authority decision to allow a vote granting sole union representation authority to a single union . The FLRA has tentatively scheduled a vote for March 9 through April 19 to determine which union will represent airport screeners . It will also give the screeners the option of having no union represent them . The unions vying for the job are the American Federation of Government Employees , part of the AFL-CIO , and the National Treasury Employees Union . Both unions called Pistole 's decision good news . Congressional reaction fell along party lines . `` I want to commend Administrator Pistole for taking this positive step , '' said Rep. Bennie Thompson , D-Mississippi , ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee . `` Collective bargaining does not diminish our security -- it can actually enhance workforce productivity and TSA 's mission . '' Rep. John Mica , R-Florida , called the move `` President Obama 's biggest give to organized labor . '' During the formation of the TSA , Congress limited airport screener 's unionization powers , saying managers needed flexibility to address changing terrorist threats . Bush administration officials later cited the 2006 liquid bomb plot , when the TSA rapidly changed restrictions to prevent terrorists from smuggling explosive liquids on passenger aircraft . TSA officials say they did not have to consult with union representatives before changing screening protocols and work hours . But supporters of collective bargaining powers say that numerous other law enforcement agencies have broad union rights that do not hinder security . As a presidential candidate , Barack Obama promised to support collective bargaining for airport screeners . In a letter to a union chief just two weeks before the 2008 election , Obama wrote that if he was elected , `` I will work to ensure that TSOs [ Transportation Security Officers ] have collective bargaining rights . '' He said he would make it a `` priority for my administration . ''
TSA may allow screeners protection of collective bargaining rights . But screeners wo n't be able to vote on many issues . Matter has been long debated in Congress .