PATCO and the Decline of U.S. Workers

It's the 25th anniversary of the crushing of the PATCO strike. The strike was so significant and successful in the destruction of working-class organization and standard of living that they decided to name an airport after the leader of that attack (Reagan).

Although the media plays up the cockiness of the union, they really don't get at the story of what really happened. The union was set up for the fall, so that the ruling class could make a demonstration to the rest of the working class. Well before the strike, Carter had already helped push worse working conditions on the air traffic controllers. This lead the union to back Reagan for president, with Reagan making all sorts of promises to the union.

When the FAA presented a concession-heavy contract, the union went on strike. Reagan then proceeded to fire all the controller, bringing in scabs. The plan of attack was already laid, the FAA setting up a "Strike Force" from the year before.

Now working conditions are even worse, and NATCO (PATCO's replacement) is looking at a situation where new hires will be trained at the busiest airports – obviously the worst idea if your concern is safety. But that's just it, they're concern isn't our safety.

The PATCO strike, since they were privileged compared to other workers and expected to win, had an incredibly demoralizing effect on the working class. Combined with unions who were already in bed with management, it sped up the degenerative process that leaves us with the working conditions we see today.