Gipper's Greatest Hits: Reagan Crushes the Air Traffic Controllers' Union Like an Insect

Reaganite Republican ^ | March 12, 2011 | Reaganite Republican

[Reaganite Republican]

"We cannot compare labor-management relations 
in the private sector with government..."

In August 1981, President Ronald Reagan faced down an audacious countrywide air traffic controllers strike that threatened to paralyze the nation's transportation system.

But the walkout violated a regulation prohibiting government unions from striking, so declaring the situation a federal emergency -per 1947 Taft Hartley Act- the President held a press conference in the White House Rose Garden to issue an ultimatum...

Reagan warned that if the air traffic controllers 
"do not report for work within 48 hours, 

they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated."

Many thought he was bluffing at the time, but despite fear of a political backlash emanating from some of his cabinet on August 5 1981 Ronald Reagan made plain he was not bluffing by firing every last one of the 11,345 striking air traffic controllers who had ignored his order to return to work.


The PATCO union was busted...  [video]
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Reagan Presidential Library   Wikipedia

Previous Gipper's Greatest features -here-

Enjoy your weekend, FReeper patriots...

-RR-

[vetvetdoug]

This incident is one of the main reasons Steve Earle whines about the Republicans and the right. It seems Earle’s brother and father were ATC in the San Antonio area. I like the music but hate his pontificating lefty remarks while the show is on. I was reared in the same area as he and catch his b.s. remarks when he makes things up.

[GailA]

Wis. Gov should fire them all, and hire back any that want to work at beginners wages...would save the state MILLIONS. Besides sending a strong message.

[SgtHooper]

Agreed. AND, they should be taking videos and names of all those who attended the rally illegally though sick days, etc., and fire them as well.

[goat granny]

When he faced down Patco, the Russians also took notice that he stood by his word and was not like most presidents that spoke one thing and did another..This came out when the Soviet union was broken up and many secret papers were released..

[GailA]

Roll cameras...........

[Reaganite Republican]

Very interesting tidbit, Doug... thx

Explains a few things, don’t it

[Reaganite Republican]

Yep GG, Soviet archives called Reagan “a firm and unbending politician for whom words and deeds are one in the same” and a “dedicated anti-communist”

FACT!

[Overtaxed]

The resolve he displayed during the PATCO strike was duly noted by the Soviets and the rest of America’s enemies, to America’s benefit.

"We begin bombing in five minutes."

Hehehe