Which strike ended in the termination of nearly 12,000 air traffic controllers in 1981?

The PATCO strike refers to the 1981 strike by the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), which was significant in the history of labor relations in the United States. When approximately 12,000 air traffic controllers walked off the job, they were protesting for better working conditions, pay increases, and a reduced work week. The federal government, under President Ronald Reagan, responded by declaring the strike illegal because these workers were part of a government agency and were required to maintain air traffic operations as a public safety issue.

The outcome of the strike was substantial; the government terminated nearly all strikers and took a hard stance against unionized labor in this field. Reagan's decision to fire the controllers marked a pivotal moment in labor relations, as it signaled a tough approach toward striking public employees and set a precedent for future interactions between government and labor unions. This event profoundly influenced both the air traffic control profession and the broader labor movement in the U.S., making the PATCO strike a crucial historical incident in aviation labor relations.