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President Reagan's intervention in the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization strike initiates a shift in labor organizing.

1981

LAB

Air traffic controllers in Ohio go on strike for better wages and a shorter workweek. As government employees, it is illegal for air traffic controllers to go on strike, but similar incidents have happened in the past, and have been taken seriously–leading to negotiations.

President Reagan steps in and fires the over 11,000 striking workers, which is the first time an action like this has taken place on the federal level. By stepping in and siding with the sector's management, Reagan sets a precedent for the federal government siding with business leadership over striking workers.