The PATCO Strike

Hi Art:

I'm hoping this connects with you. I'm writing about how the president's action to replace striking air traffic controllers in 1981 has brought us to where we are today in the labor movement. Starting from scratch was not unheard of since Frank Lorenzo dumped the contracts at Continental Airlines before this, but replacing people on the picket lines while they walked was something new, I think. Now it is an accepted practice.

Obviously the current controller's union - NATCA - got the message. They seem much more politically savvy than PATCO ever was.

Your thoughts?

Robert Mark
Contributing Editor
Aviation International News
rmark@ainonline.com