On August 5, 1981, the world watched in awe as three air traffic controllers, living out of their cars, broke the word-wide Christmas Eve strike that had paralyzed the U.S. airline industry for three years.
On August 27, 1987, a group of Air Traffic Controllers walked off the job in an effort to improve their working conditions. The event changed the course of American labor and union relations—and the nation’s skies.
It’s been 40 years since the Air Traffic Controllers ‘ strike , which turned the tide of U.S. labor relations.The labor strife began on August 3, 1981, when more than 10,000 Air Traffic Controllers walked off the job in the largest work stoppage in the nation’s history.
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The 40th Anniversary Of The Air Traffic Controllers Strike That Changed Labor Relations In The United States
on August 4, 2021 by Gary Leff
The days of August 3-5, 1981 were a watershed moment in American aviation. In 1981, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the air traffic controllers’ union were unable to reach an agreement. The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization wants to cut work hours to 32 and give each controller a $10,000 increase. For three years, the FAA gave 11.4 percent annual increases, which was more than twice what other government workers received. There was no offer of a shorter work week.
On August 3, 1981, the union called a strike, in violation of what is now 5 U.S.C. 7311, which prohibits federal workers from striking.
President Ronald Reagan ordered air traffic controllers back to work, citing their strike as a “national security threat.” Approximately 10% of the country’s 13,000 air traffic controllers returned to work.
The President conducted a press conference during which he read out from the oaths sworn by government workers when they first started their employment.
I am not engaging in any strike against the United States Government or any of its agencies, and I will not do so while employed by the United States Government or any of its agencies.
Reagan ordered strikers 48 hours to return to work or face losing their jobs. He won a federal court injunction against the strike, and the union and many of its officials were penalized for each day the stoppage was in effect.
The administration was able to increase air system capacity to 50%, which allowed it to avoid political capitulation to the strikes. Without the flights, the government would have been under a lot of pressure to reach an agreement. To restore air service capacity, military controllers were employed alongside air traffic control managers and other personnel. It took ten years to completely recover personnel levels.
On August 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan dismissed the 11,345 strikers who refused to return to work, as well as barring them from government employment for the rest of their lives. Two months later, the Federal Labor Relations Authority decertified the union.
In 1986, several striking air traffic controllers were rehired, and President Clinton removed the civil service prohibition entirely during his first year in office. Although this was a significant symbolic success for unions as a key Democratic constituency, only around 1000 air traffic controllers were rehired as a result of the action.
During the 1980 presidential election, PATCO supported Ronald Reagan for President. Reagan promised a “spirit of collaboration” in a letter to the union during the campaign. Several academics believe that the President’s dismissal of air traffic controllers was a watershed event in labor relations, empowering private-sector employers to use their legal rights in this field as well.
During the government shutdown two years ago, air traffic controllers began missing work. The shutdown was halted as a result of this, and the controllers were victorious. They were encouraged when they learned that when the shutdown ended, they would be compensated for their sick days and that they would not be counted against their accumulated leave.
More From the Wing’s Perspective
On December 13, 1981, the air traffic controllers went on strike. The Federal Aviation Administration (F.A.A.) believed that the controllers would return to work quickly after receiving a mere 3% pay increase. However, the controllers realized that, although this was a small increase, it would not adequately keep pace with inflation. So the controllers stayed out for nearly two months, until on January 3, 1982, the government offered to give the controllers a 10% pay increase over a three-year period. Shortly after, President Reagan appointed an emergency board to recommend changes in federal labor law.. Read more about reagan fired teachers and let us know what you think.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did air traffic controllers go on strike in 1981?
Air traffic controllers went on strike in 1981 because they were frustrated with the lack of progress made by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Which of the following is one reason that the PATCO strike is considered a turning point in US labor relations?
The PATCO strike is considered a turning point in US labor relations because it was the first time that a union went on strike and won.
Is there a shortage of air traffic controllers?
No, there is no shortage of air traffic controllers.
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- patco strike significance
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