Yorgey, Dean, 1947-.

In August 1981 the members of PATCO went on strike for numerous reasons. The Reagan administration, in response, issued more than 11,000 letters of termination to anyone affiliated with the union who was involved in the strike. Dean Yorgey, an air traffic controller born in 1947, was terminated due to his involvement, though he claimed that he did not participate. Yorgey alleged that he was coerced and threatened with physical violence if he did not cooperate. Like many other air traffic controllers who had lost their jobs, Yorgey appealed to be reinstated to his job. In 1984, after two years of fighting to regain his job through the courts, the courts ruled in favor of the FAA, denying his appeal.