United States v. Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization

OPINION OF THE COURT

The United States commenced suit to enjoin the defendants, who were air traffic controllers in the Pittsburgh area, from continuing an unlawful strike. A preliminary injunction issued on April 2, 1970. Thereafter, on May 18, 1970, that preliminary injunction was modified by a provision staying administrative action against those defendants who were subject to the preliminary injunction. The government appealed from this modification of the preliminary injunction.

Thereafter the Pittsburgh air traffic controllers returned to work. Consequently, on June 17, 1970, prior to…