On This Day in 1981 U.S. federal air traffic controllers began a nationwide strike after their union, PATCO, rejected the government’s final contract offer. Most of the 13,000 strikers ignored orders to go back to work and were fired on August 5 by President Reagan for participating in an illegal work stoppage. Reagan’s action – and the inability of the labor movement to respond to the crisis – led to the rapid downhill spiral of unions.
The Association of Retired Members held their Summer Party August 21, 2014 at the UAW Hall in Baltimore. Photos are available for viewing here. – Photos/Teamsters Joint Council 62
