Unions

Reagan Fires PATCO Strikers: Union-Busting Era Begins

1981-08-03 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 9/10

President Ronald Reagan fires 11,345 striking air traffic controllers who refused to return to work, permanently banning them from federal service. When 13,000 PATCO members went on strike August 3 seeking better pay, improved working conditions, and a reduced workweek, Reagan declared the strike a …

Ronald Reagan Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization PATCO Federal Aviation Administration labor unions patco reagan strike-breaking +1 more

AFL-CIO Merger Consolidates Labor Movement, But Cements Conservative Leadership

1955-12-05 00:00:00 +0000 UTC | Importance: 8/10

The American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations merge on December 5, 1955, creating the AFL-CIO with 16 million members representing one-third of American workers. George Meany, the conservative plumber who led the AFL, becomes president, while the more progressive …

George Meany Walter Reuther American Federation of Labor Congress of Industrial Organizations AFL-CIO labor unions labor-consolidation labor-politics cold-war