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Marlene and Ronald Palmer PATCO scrapbooks

 Collection
Identifier: L2011-18

Scope and Content of the Papers

The Marlene and Ronald Palmer PATCO Scrapbooks, 1979-2001, contain two photo albums compiled by Marlene (Marty) Palmer documenting the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike and the Air Traffic Controllers Support Organization (ATCSO) formed by the spouses of PATCO members in 1979.

"Photo Essay and Strike Chronicles" charts the course of the PATCO strike and its lasting effects into the early 2000s. This scrapbook contains photographs of Marlene's husband and former PATCO member, Ronald Palmer prior to and after the strike; the 1981 Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana; other members of Local 132; PATCO President Bob Poli; mugshot of Atlanta member, Ron Elliot; the 1981 Labor Day marches; and the 2001 20th Anniversary party. Also included are newspaper clippings related to the strike, airline safety issues, and the rehiring of fired controllers as well as a magazine article from 1991 containing photos and quotes by Ronald Palmer alongside other fired PATCO members.

"Air Traffic Controllers Support Organization (ATCS)" scrapbook contains materials documenting the formation of the original support group in Spokane, ATCSO newsletters, correspondence between members, correspondence to Subcommittee on Civil Service Chairwoman, Patricia Schroeder, excerpts from an ATCSO handbook, bylaws, and photographs from the 1979 PATCO picnic and fundraiser in Hollywood, Florida.

Dates

  • Creation: 1979-2001

Creator

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 Marlene and Ronald Palmer

Ronald Palmer worked as an air traffic controller for the Miami Tower and served as Vice President of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), Local 132 in Miami, Florida from 1977 to 1980.

When PATCO underwent contract negotiations with the FAA in 1978, many air traffic controllers felt that they did not receive the wage increases and benefits they deserved. The efforts of PATCO members to achieve their demands culminated in an illegal strike against the Federal Government in spring of 1981.

During the early stages of PATCO's uprising, spouses of PATCO members decided they needed to become directly involved in the effort. Originally formed in 1979 in Spokane, Washington, the Air Traffic Controllers Support Organization (ATCSO) worked to educate, organize, and advocate for the demands of PATCO members both locally and nationally. Support groups began forming across the country, holding meetings, putting out newsletters, informing the public, and corresponding with legislators.

Ronald Palmer was fired in August of 1981 alongside 11,000 other PATCO members. As a result of the Regan Administration's permanent ban on the rehiring of fired controllers, Palmer and many others spent over a decade lobbying for a repeal. Even after President Clinton lifted the ban in 1993, Ronald Palmer alongside many other fired controllers continued to fight for the right to return to their profession into the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (in 2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

The Marlene and Ronald Palmer PATCO Scrapbooks, 1979-2001, contain two photo albums compiled by Marlene (Marty) Palmer documenting the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike, including photographs and quotes by her husband and former PATCO member, Ronald Palmer, as well as the Air Traffic Controllers Support Organization (ATCSO) formed by the spouses of PATCO members in 1979.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Marlene Palmer in 2011.

Processing Information

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

Title
Marlene and Ronald Palmer:
Subtitle
A Guide to Their PATCO Scrapbooks at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Georgia State University Library
Date
November 7, 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)