Nov. 4, 2016 // This Week in NATCA/Labor History

This Week In NATCA/ATC History:
November 5, 1982 — Rebuilding the controller workforce: The FAA announces it will consider specially qualified air traffic controller applicants who are 31 to 35 years old, waiving the previous age limit of 31. The change applies to the November 8-30 application period and any other application periods through 1984.

November 2, 1984 — AATCC provisional executive board: At an organizing meeting in Boston for AATCC New England, controllers elect Howie Barte from Quonset TRACON in Rhode Island as their regional representative. Several other regions also have representatives by this time:

Central — Jim Poole from Cedar Rapids Tower.
Eastern — Joe D’Alessio, later replaced by Joe O’Brien, both from New York TRACON.
Great Lakes — Fred Gilbert from Chicago Center.
Northwest Mountain — Gary Molen from Salt Lake Center.

This Week in Labor History:
1904: The New York City subway, the first rapid-transit system in America, opens. More than 100 workers died during the construction of the first 13 miles of tunnels and track.

1951: The National Negro Labor Council is formed in Cincinnati to unite black workers in the struggle for full economic, political, and social equality. The group was to function for five years before disbanding, having forced many AFL and CIO unions to adopt non-discrimination policies.

1995: John Sweeney, president of the Service Employees International Union, elected president of AFL-CIO.