TSA scales back executive awards, boosts screener bonuses

TSA scales back executive awards, boosts screener bonuses

By Chris Strohm
cstrohm@govexec.com

The Transportation Security Administration scaled back executive bonuses for 2004, but increased cash bonuses given to lower-level staff and screeners at the nation's airports.

TSA doled out more than $20 million in cash bonuses to nonexecutives for 2004, while giving only about $540,000 in bonuses to executives, said TSA spokesman Darrin Kayser.

Additionally, the agency spent about $130,000 on awards ceremonies, which is much less than what was spent the previous year.

"TSA is committed to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars while recognizing the hard work of its screeners and staff," Kayser said. "Over 16 million prohibited items detected and a smooth holiday travel season are just of the many reasons why we are providing bonuses to 60 percent of our nonexecutive workforce."

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