As a result, PATCO was decertified, and the decline in labor unions in the United States increased.
[1] The strikes and boycotts organized by these reformed unions were successful in achieving new laws for safety and labor, such as the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972.
[1] The increased popularity of air travel in the 1970s brought a burden upon the ATC community, causing long hours, higher stress, and overall discomfort within the workplace.
The successful labor movements of the 1960s and 70s inspired PATCO to go on strike in an attempt to reduce stress in the workplace.
Many of the workers were veteran Air Force pilots, as well as Republican voters who had backed Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign, so they believed that a strike would be supported and ultimately be successful.
They thought that a strike would win political support and public sympathy since they were fed up with the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) lack of respect for them.