For years, Transportation Security Administration officers have not received the same basic rights afforded most other federal employees. A new piece of legislation introduced Tuesday plans to change that, reports FedAgent.com.

The 2016 Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act, introduced by the House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., would expand the collective bargaining rights of TSA workers. This bill would bring 40,000 TSA officers in line with all Title 5 federal workers.

"Implementing basic worker protections for this critical workforce has been a lengthy fight and it is time for Congress to come together and enact legislation that will grant these frontline security workers the rights and benefits that they deserve," said Congressman Thompson. "We believe these changes will increase security and will lead to an improved workforce with better morale."