Booting out the air traffic controllers was no mistake at all. Not on policy and not electorally. It was even said to have made foreign governments more inclined to negotiate with Reagan as they saw how tough he could be.
Maybe so but the working men and women in those places got screwed for doing what they thought was right. I’m not a Union guy and would prefer to never work in a Union job again. Having said that; there’s a place for Union’s if they have good leadership. I have personally seen bad leadership attempt to force a raise during a recession. Nothing could be more stupid IMHO.