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Ron Elliott PATCO collection

 Collection
Identifier: L2011-02

Scope and Content of the Collection

Legal files, grievances, reference files, correspondence, administrative files, newsletters, photographs, audio recordings, and artifacts make up the Ron Elliot PATCO Collection, 1978-1995 (bulk 1980-1982). Legal files document Ron Elliott's personal court proceedings leading up to his dismissal, the civil action taken against other PATCO members, and the fired air traffic controllers' attempts to appeal their termination. Reference files include strike planning materials; transcripts from Call PAC's weekly strike updates; testimony of PATCO president Robert E. Poli; Choirboy and facility representative manuals; PATCO propaganda; the notes of Atlanta Center facility representative Don Kovacs; press releases; legislation; and newspaper clippings. Also included are several audio recordings of Call PAC strike updates as well as news coverage of the PATCO strike.

Correspondence includes communication between Ron Elliott and other PATCO members, attorneys, the FAA, and potential employers as well as letters written by others in support of the strike. Administrative files include lists of PATCO Southeastern representatives and committee members, board meeting summaries, and a personnel log of 1981 strikers. Photographs include PATCO strikers with picket signs and mug shots of Ron Elliott and other arrested strikers. Textiles contain 12 t-shirts related to PATCO before and during the strike as well as a tablecloth autographed by President Bob Poli on August 3, 1981. Artifacts include picket signs, horsecount charts, and buttons. The picket signs and horsecount charts have been separated and placed into the mapcases with other oversized PATCO materials. Please consult archivist about these documents.

Dates

  • Creation: 1978-1995
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1980 - 1982

Creator

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use. Access to materials with personal or sensitive information is restricted for 75 years from the date of creation.

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 Ron Elliott

Ron Elliott began his training as an air traffic controller at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi. After serving in the United States Air Force as a military controller, Elliott became a member of PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Controllers) and spent 11 years as a controller in the Atlanta Metro area.

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 a potential 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. Ron Elliott served as a Choirboy for Local 101 and the Atlanta cluster, which included all striking controllers in the Atlanta Metro area.

Elliott and many other PATCO members were prosecuted as criminals for participating in and claiming the right to strike against the U.S. Government. He was fired in August of 1981 alongside 11,000 other PATCO members, all of whom were permanently banned from being rehired. Elliott and many others spent over a decade lobbying for a repeal of the ban.

Extent

3.34 Linear Feet (in 6 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

Ron Elliott was a member of PATCO (Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization) and worked as an air traffic controller for 11 years. Elliott served as a Choir Boy for Local 101 and the Atlanta cluster, organizing all striking controllers in the Metro Atlanta area. When PATCO went on strike in 1981, Elliott and many other PATCO members were prosecuted for participating in and claiming the right to strike against the U.S. Government. Legal files, grievances, reference files, correspondence, administrative files, newsletters, photographs, and artifacts make up the Ron Elliot PATCO Collection.

Acquisition Information

Donated by former PATCO member Ron Elliot, 2011.

Processing Information

Processed by Crystal Rodgers at the file level, October 2011.

Title
Ron Elliott:
Subtitle
A Guide to His PATCO Collection at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Georgia State University Library
Date
October 5, 2011
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)