1970-1992 Flashcards
1
Q
What was the Air Traffic Controllers strike?
A
- in 1981
- The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organisation (PATCO) called a strike with the intention to bring air traffic to a standstill
- They wanted a $10,000 wage increase and shorter working week and better retirement benefits
- Out of 17,500, 13,000 obeyed and walked out
- Negotiations with the Federal Aviation Administration began however the idea of workers being paid more and fewer working hours was unacceptable to the the FG
- The strike as a result went ahead, purposely in summer the busiest vacation time of year and it damaged the national economy
2
Q
What was Reagan’s reaction to the PATCO strike ?
A
- He Publicly announced that if strikers did not return to work within 48 hours their employment contracts would be terminated
- Reagan fired over 11,000 air traffic controllers and banned them from federal employment.
- His actions were seen as union busting
3
Q
What is the significance of the PATCO strike and impact?
A
- The response of the FG is evidence of strike action being plummeted
- Led to significant decline in union member ship from 27% in 1970 to 12% by 1990
- it showed that the government would not longer tolerate strikes as they had in earlier decades
4
Q
Why was there a decline in organised labour in late 1970s?
A
- Changing economy - By mid 1970s, economic growth slowed down, due to increase in foreign competition in manufacturing goods
- Also because there was rising inflation which increased production costs as well as consumer prices and competitiveness of US industries
