NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — About 20 Transportation Security Administration workers held a rally at Norfolk International Airport Tuesday in support of collective bargaining rights. "This is an effort to draw attention to the plight of federal officers, federal employees in general," said Scott Robi nson, local president of the American Federation of Government Employees. The American Federation of Government Employees local, which represents TSA workers at the airport, protested against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to revoke collective bargaining rights for all Transportation Security Officers across the country. "Noem’s action, announced March 7, is a direct attack on the front-line workers who keep our nation’s airports secure," according to a news release. "By stripping TSA officers of their right to bargain collectively, DHS is silencing the voices of the very people who stand between the traveling public and security threats." Robinson said Noem's action leaves many workers unprotected and without a seat at the bargaining table. "The concern is that, if the administration doesn't hear what the officers are saying, it's the first domino in a cascade," Robinson said, "and that we will see other agencies and other industries lose their protections or workplace protections for officers or for employees in general." TSA workers aren't allowed to strike because they're considered national security, and Robinson said that's not likely to happen. "The concern that the workforce has is that of privatization," Robinson said. "So if, following that the unionization of the workforce, you see a privatization effort, that is a considerable concern to officers because, of course, that would likely lead to automation moving forward to increase profits and disregard the people who put in 20-plus years in the aviation security. ...read more read less