Which of the following statements about the PATCO strike of 1981 is accurate?

The PATCO strike of 1981 is widely regarded as an unsuccessful endeavor for the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO). When over 11,000 air traffic controllers went on strike, they were seeking better working conditions, increased pay, and a reduced workweek. However, the response from the federal government was swift and severe; President Ronald Reagan viewed the strike as illegal under the Taft-Hartley Act due to the essential nature of air traffic control to national safety.

The aftermath saw significant repercussions for the union and its members. Most striking controllers were terminated from their positions and banned from federal service. This action not only weakened PATCO significantly but also served as a catalyst for the decline of union power in the aviation industry and beyond during the following decades. As a result, the strike is often cited as a turning point in labor relations, illustrating the challenges unions face when confronting governmental authority and highlighting the consequences of illegal strikes.