Power&conflict: an analysis of fire-fighters' dispute - Essay Example

In order to be a fully fledged fire fighter, one has to undergo rigorous training for 4 years and from then on he dedicates himself to the service of rescuing life. He has to make himself available for any eventuality that may arise suddenly. Even though, a fire fighter’s job demands utmost responsibility, yet it is considered to be in the class of manual labor and not classified with the job of a teacher, lawyer or such. Since this job has a high risk factor, great responsibility and sacrifice, the fire fighter’s feel they have to be equally compensated for their services.

They are not satisfied with the present situation, because according to them, though inflation has blown to a great extent, their salaries haven’t. They find it hard to keep up with the cost of living that presently exists. Therefore strikes are carried out and this causes disharmony and problems between the employers and employees. For the past 25 years, fire fighters have kept pace with the rising inflation. The strike of 1977 had put them back on the map of good wages and all went well till recently they felt, that while inflation kept growing, their salaries did not.

The fire fighters once again were in constant conflict in their demand for better wages and better working hours. They argued that their job was an extremely dangerous and risky one involving the life of an individual and therefore their salaries have to be in par with the risk involved. Therefore they have put forward a petition of an increase of 4% to the fire fighters who in turn will furnish qualitative service to the public. The other people affected by the dispute are the employers who also realize that the fire fighters are under paid.

The employers themselves are committed to bringing about a radical change in the working of the system with a greater emphasis on fire prevention though qualitative fire fighting would always play a key role. They offered them an unconditional 4%