Randy Razook PATCO collection
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Not requestable
Scope and Content of the Collection
Legal files, correspondence, reference files, administrative files, contract agreements, constitutions, notes, and artifacts make up the Randy Razook Collection, 1977-1987 (bulk 1980-1981). Legal files document Randy Razook's court proceedings following his dismissal, the civil action taken against all striking PATCO members, and the fired controllers' attempts to appeal their termination. Reference files include educational materials utilized by PATCO members in organizing the strike, Choirboy procedures, cluster organizer manuals, legislative hearing proceedings, statistical analyses, newsletters, reports, and strike-related press coverage. Several statistical reports pertain to questionnaires administered by the national board in order to assess the predominate attitude of PATCO members regarding the strike.
Administrative files pertain primarily to organizing the strike, including picketing schedules, lists of clusters throughout the Eastern region, cluster communication network charts, head counts, strike planning materials, and correspondence between members of the Executive Board, Benefits Committee, and Choirboys. Correspondence also contains Randy Razook and Director of Field Activities, James G. Lundie's resignation letters. Artifacts include picket signs, buttons, and Razook's 1981 Convention nametags. Oversized picket signs have been separated and placed into the mapcases with other oversized PATCO materials.
Dates
- Creation: 1977-1987
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1980 - 1981
Creator
- Razook, Randy, 1950- (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research use.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.
Biography of Randy Razook
Randy Razook was a member of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) and worked for the Eastern region in the state of Massachusetts. Razook also served as president of Local 229, Hyannis Tower, in Barnstable, Massachusetts.
When PATCO underwent contract negotiations with the FAA in 1978, many air traffic controllers felt that they did not receive the wages, benefits, and respect they deserved. The Choirboy Program was established as a direct response to the negotiation results in order to convince other PATCO members that a more radical approach was necessary. A Choirboy was selected to oversee each regional cluster to educate PATCO members about the strike and increase union solidarity. By holding meetings, distributing educational materials, communicating with Choirboys from other regions, and overseeing the implementation of strike protocols, they played an integral role in the strength of the PATCO strike. Randy Razook served as Choirboy for Clusters 28 and 29 of the Eastern region, organizing all striking controllers in this area.
In August of 1981, Razook was fired alongside 11,000 other PATCO members for participating in an illegal strike against the federal government. In December of 1981, Razook resigned from his position after disagreeing with the decisions made by the national office and feeling that other methods would be necessary to get fired controllers back to work.
Extent
1.25 Linear Feet (in 3 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract:
Randy Razook was a member of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) and worked for the Eastern region in the state of Massachusetts. He served as president of Local 229, Hyannis Tower and Choirboy for Clusters 28 and 29 of the Eastern region, organizing all striking controllers in this area. In August of 1981, Razook was fired alongside 11,000 other PATCO members for participating in an illegal strike against the federal government. Legal files, correspondence, reference files, administrative files, contract agreements and constitutions, notes, and artifacts make up the Randy Razook collection.
Acquisition Information
Collection donated by Randy Razook, 2011.
Processing Information
Processed by Crystal Rodgers at the file level, October 2011.
Subject
- Reagan, Ronald (Person)
- United States. Federal Aviation Administration (Organization)
- Poli, Robert (Person)
- Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (Washington, D.C.) (Organization)
- Title
- Randy Razook:
- Subtitle
- A Guide to His PATCO Collection at Georgia State University Library
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Georgia State University Library
- Date
- October 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)
archives@gsu.edu