The impact of Reagan's firing of the air traffic controllers can be summarized in the following two points:
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Labor unions deteriorated as employers fired striking workers and replaced them. This action set a precedent that weakened labor unions, as it allowed employers to permanently replace striking workers, thereby diminishing the power of unions in negotiations.
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Air safety improved significantly after the controllers were replaced. The replacement of air traffic controllers with new hires and non-striking personnel led to enhancements in air traffic control processes, contributing to overall improvements in operational safety in the aviation industry.
These points capture the dual impact on labor relations and air safety following the event.