The main significance of the PATCO strike in 1981 was that:
A) It marked a turn in U.S. labor relations toward much more adversarial relations between management and labor.
B) It heralded a new era of labor-management peace in the U.S.
C) It resulted in the fragmentation of the labor movement by splitting key unions such as the Teamsters and SEIU from the AFL-CIO.
D) It made it lawful for employers to hire permanent strike replacements during an economic strike.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The PATCO strike was a significant event because it marked a turning point in U.S. labor relations, shifting from a period of relatively peaceful labor-management relations to a much more adversarial environment. The strike, which was joined by many other unions, reflected a growing sense of frustration among workers with stagnant wages and declining benefits at a time of increasing corporate profits. The federal government's response to the strike, including the firing of thousands of striking air traffic controllers, set a precedent for a more hostile approach to organized labor.

The Main Significance of the PATCO Strike in 1981 Was