On October 15,2008 the Teamsters Airline Division signed an agreement to form an alliance

with the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) to work together on

issues that affect their members and the airline industry as a whole.
 

PATCO, headquartered in Stuart, Florida, represents contract tower air traffic controllers,

including the former PATCO strikers fired by President Reagan in 1981. PATCO represents

contract towers throughout the United States and is in the process of organizing other

towers in the U.S. and internationally. PATCO has been in the business of air traffic control

for over 40 years.

“We are very excited that such an august, venerable organization of air traffic controllers has

chosen to align with the Teamsters in order to pursue common objectives,” said Teamsters

Airline Division Director Capt. David Bourne. “We will join efforts and resources to enhance

the safety, security and legislative interests of all employees in the airline industry.”

The Alliance agreement calls for the two organizations to identify projects and issues of

common concern on which they can collaborate.

“After long consideration of the many labor groups available, it became obvious to me

that the Teamsters was the best transportation labor union in the business and best

suited to PATCO going forward in today’s aviation industry,” said PATCO President Ron Taylor.

“We are looking forward to a long, fruitful relationship with the Teamsters,” Taylor said. “This relationship

will positively enhance the overall aviation community, from air traffic control to pilots.”

“It’s about time the industry came together as a whole,” Taylor said. “I believe this is the first

time in aviation history that an air traffic control organization and pilots are coming together for

the betterment of the airline industry and its employees, as well as the flying public.

It completes the circle.”