Dubbed a "father of ATC," Bond, who died January 29, was known for his efforts to roll out early versions of a computerized air traffic control system.
Forty years since the PATCO strike: Part one “
The ruling class considers the destruction of PATCO as inseparable from its overall capitalist policy of defending the profit system with a program of unrestrained militarism internationally and savage austerity for the working class within the United States.” Bulletin
On August 3, 1981, 13,000 members of the union of air traffic controllers in the US the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) went out on strike against their employer, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For years, employment levels and safety measures had failed to keep up with increasing commercial air traffic. Extreme stress forced a majority of controllers into early retirement. PATCO workers demanded a shorter workweek, higher wages and increased staffing.