Solidarity Day March (1981)

Sat Sep 19, 1981

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On this day in 1981, a large rally known as the “Solidarity Day March” took place in Washington D.C. in support of striking air traffic controller workers fired by President Ronald Reagan.

The March was organized and sponsored by the AFL-CIO, and came a few weeks into the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) strike.

It was the first major demonstration organized in decades by the AFL-CIO. Ultimately, the rally’s show of support was ineffectual; PATCO was de-certified as a union and the striking ATC workers did not get their jobs back.

A 2nd Solidarity March was held near the 10 year anniversary of the original Solidary Day March. Union members, in the wake of the Gulf War, called on the federal government to turn its attention away from foreign affairs and to focus on domestic issues like improving health care and education and supporting workers’ rights. Approximately 250,000-500,000 people took part in either event.