A poor economy in the 1970s and a conservative political climate in the 1980s resulted in fewer strikes in those years. During this time non-union workers, or scabs, were increasingly used to break strikes. The most famous example of this was when President Ronald Reagan fired striking union air traffic controllers, and hired new ones to take their place. As federal workers the air traffic controllers did not have the right to strike. However, in the past when federal workers had gone on strike, such as the postal strike of 1970, the government had negotiated with the unions to reach an agreement. President Reagan’s get tough attitude toward the strikers received overwhelming public support. Click on CHARTS below for additional information about strikes.