Political Climate and Two Airline Strikes: Century Air in 1932 and Continental Airlines in 1983–85

Abstract

This study contrasts two airline strikes that took place 51 years apart: the Continental strike of 1983–85 and the Century strike of 1932. Despite strong resemblances between the two strikes—for example, each was provoked by the actions of a corporate raider (Errett Cord in 1932, Frank Lorenzo in 1983–85), was led by pilots, was triggered by deep wage cuts, and was debated in special congressional hearings—management lost in 1932 and won in 1983–85. The author argues that the different outcomes are largely accountable to different political climates: the political climate of the 1930s favored government regulation and unionization, whereas that of the 1980s favored a free market and deregulation.