44 years ago today, 13,000 members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) illegally went on strike. President Ronald Reagan issued a clear ultimatum: “If they do not report for work within 48 hours, they have forfeited their jobs and will be terminated.” Two days later, on August 5, he followed through—firing the 11,000 who hadn’t returned to work. As a former union leader, President Reagan believed strongly in workers’ rights but also in the rule of law and public trus

In 1981, over 13,000 air traffic controllers went on strike. Reagan gave them 48 hours to return. When 11,359 refused, he fired all of them—despite their union endorsing him. And yes, they were banned from federal work for life. #RonaldReagan #LaborHistory #FactOrFiction #USHistory #PATCO #PresidentialTrivia #1980s #PopCulturePolitics #StrikeHistory | The Real Brandolorian

11K views · 145 reactions | 43 years ago, on August 3, 1981, nearly...