Arch Bailey papers

Collection

Identifier: L2011-10

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Papers

The papers, 1975-2002 (bulk 1993-1996), consist primarily of Arch Bailey's correspondence and reference files pertaining to the struggles of fired PATCO employees after the 1981 strike. Reference files include newspaper clippings, web-based articles, press releases, photographs, and periodicals. The bulk of the materials relate to the efforts of Controllers United to convince President Clinton to lift the permanent ban, the repeal of the ban in 1993, the subsequent difficulties faced by PATCO members in returning to their jobs, and the shortage of air traffic controllers and its effects on air safety. Correspondence files include interactions between Arch Bailey and executive director of Controllers United, Bob Harris; sociologist Arthur B. Shostak; the AFL-CIO; the Clinton Administration; the Teamsters; and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). Correspondence files also document the rehiring of Arch Bailey and his interactions with the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) and the Department of Transportation in his efforts to return to his original position prior to the strike in 1981.

Dates

1975-2002
Majority of material found within 1993 - 1996

Creator

Bailey, Archer (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 Arch Bailey

Arch Bailey was born on December 24, 1946. A former member of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) and advocate for Controllers United, Bailey spent 20 years lobbying for the rights of fired air traffic controllers to return to their profession. Established after the Reagan Administration placed a permanent ban on the rehiring of fired PATCO employees, Controllers United spent decades lobbying for a repeal. Even after President Clinton lifted the ban in 1993, the stigma attached to PATCO strikers remained, making it difficult for Bailey and many others to find employment. Bailey and other Controllers United advocates worked to combat this stigma and push the FAA into following through with its commitment to rehire former PATCO members. By shedding light on the shortage of skilled air traffic controllers and its effects on air safety, Bailey and others hoped to show how these problems could be rectified by rehiring fired PATCO members.

Extent

1.5 Linear Feet (in 4 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Arch Bailey, a former PATCO employee and advocate for Controllers United, spent several decades lobbying for the rights of fired air traffic controllers to return to their jobs. The papers consist primarily of correspondence and reference files documenting the personal efforts of Arch Bailey as well as interactions between other members of Controllers United, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), and the Clinton Administration.