Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization records, Conventions [Series IX]

The Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) was formed in the New York area in 1968 to represent the interests of federally employed air traffic controllers. The objectives of the organization were to preserve and promote the profession; to improve working conditions for air traffic controllers within the United States, its territories, and possessions; and to represent its members in dealing with the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies concerning grievances, personnel policies, practices and other matters. In 1981, though as federal employees it was illegal for them to do so, PATCO members went on strike. Over 11,000 controllers were subsequently dismissed.

Wages, work hours, and retirement were the significant issues for the PATCO rank and file in their 1981 negotiation with the FAA. Members wanted an across-the-board $10,000 salary increase (base pay for a controller was then $20,462). PATCO President Robert Poli also wanted the 40-hour five-day week reduced to a 32-hour four-day week without a decrease in salary. Controllers deemed the shorter work week their most important issue, because they hoped it would reduce the on-the-job stress that many of them experienced. They also wanted a change in retirement requirements because they claimed that controllers experienced "burn out" faster than other federal employees. The government refused to discuss the last two demands. An agreement was reached by June 22 that called for a 10% pay hike for controllers, a 20% increase in the nighttime work pay differential, and a guaranteed 30-minute lunch period. Though Poli had managed to get a few more benefits, he felt the overall package was not enough. When it went to a vote, 95% of his members rejected the pact. Though the two sides went back to the bargaining table on July 31, neither seemed willing to budge. On August 3, 1981, the 15,000-member Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization went on strike.

Because PATCO members were responsible for guiding commercial airline flights throughout the United States, the strike caused confusion, long delays, and worries about air travel safety. Furthermore, as federal employees, PATCO members by law were not permitted to strike. On August 5, the federal government issued dismissal notices to over 11,000 controllers who refused to return to their jobs. To President Ronald Reagan, the air traffic controllers had quit their jobs by striking illegally. Secretary of Transportation Drew Lewis said, "To all intents and purposes, the strike is over. Our concern is to rebuild the system."

On August 6, a federal judge imposed a fine of $2.4 million per day (later reduced) on PATCO as long as the strike lasted. The government also obtained a court order that barred the union from using its $3.7 million strike contingency fund and began proceedings to have it decertified. Union members and other unionists claimed that the government was union busting. New workers were quickly trained and installed as air traffic controllers and in October, PATCO was decertified and dissolved. The PATCO strike and firing was one of the most significant and controversial episodes involving the American labor movement during the era.

On August 12, 1993, President Bill Clinton, by an executive order, lifted the ban on rehiring PATCO controllers who had been fired twelve years earlier.

1969-1970

James E. Hayes

1970-1980

John F. Leyden

1980-1982

Robert E. Poli

1982

Gary W. Eads

1972-1980

Robert E. Poli

1980-1982

Robert E. Meyers

1982

Domenic Torchia