Ronald Reagan and the Firing of the Air Traffic Controllers

On August 3, 1981, over 12,000 members of the PATCO walked off their jobs, striking for higher pay, shorter hours, and increased benefits. Unexpectedly, President Reagan decided to fire the strikers, prosecute their leaders, and decertify their union. Busch explores this decision, showing how it set the tone for Reagan’s time in the White House.
On August 3, 1981, over 12,000 members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Association (PATCO) walked off their jobs, striking for higher pay, shorter hours, and increased benefits. Unexpectedly, President Ronald Reagan decided to fire the strikers, prosecute their leaders, and decertify their union. This swift and unwavering decision was a shocking reversal of the sympathy and support Reagan showed PATCO during his campaign ten months earlier, which had earned him the union’s endorsement.

Andrew Busch, an expert on the Reagan presidency, explores this overlooked decision, showing the many ways that it set the tone for Reagan’s two terms in the White House. It was a contested decision both within the administration and in the public sphere, though it ultimately proved popular. Reagan’s action demonstrated his commitment to upholding federal labor law, limiting federal spending, and cutting inflation. He also modeled his management style of delegating to subordinates and supporting his guidance with decisive judgment when necessary.

More broadly, this decision had long-term significance that far exceeded its immediate importance. The response to the PATCO strike formed a pattern for future decisions and made a strong impression on foreign adversaries. It also contributed to the declining power of unions, marking a shift in labor politics that has continued to this day.

Andrew Busch brings a wealth of insight to this concise and accessible book, making it an ideal entry into understanding Ronald Reagan’s domestic policy and leadership, and a fine addition to the Landmark Presidential Decisions series.

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