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

In the dispute the firefighters and their supporters express that they are being unfairly treated by their employees. The employers on the other hand argue that the firefighters’ claims are unreasonable. The dispute was settled in June 2003 (UK Firefighter dispute 2002/2003 2006). Mr. Nick Raynsford was the minister during the national strike of firefighters during 2002-2003 and the head of the FBU was Andy Gilchrist (UK Firefighter dispute 2002/2003 2006). According to the firefighters professionals get professional pay.

Therefore they demanded ₤ 30 K as their average wage by an increase of 39% in their earnings as they considered it to be worth their services (FIREFIGHTER Pay Campaign Special 2002). They said “Pay parity means: ₤ 30 K for Emergency Fire Control Staff and Firefighters; A ₤ 7,500 retainer, and ₤ 13.74 for every hour worked by Firefighter on the Retained duty system” (FIREFIGHTER Pay Campaign Special 2002). Members of FBU claimed that in return to their highly professional services, they are extremely underpaid.

They tried to bring into the attention of the public and the fellow members of the union that they in spite of being fully qualified were only offered around ₤ 100 every week which is actually lesser than the average male earnings (FIREFIGHTER Pay Campaign Special 2002: 3). They strengthened their point further by stating in consideration to the extent of their life-risked and courageous services what the politicians were offering were only peanuts. Mere performance applause without a supporting fair remuneration was being seriously considered by FBU members as unjustified.

The firefighters claimed that if the decision was left upon the voters, the result will be certainly in their favor. In spite of the hike in prices and inflation the remunerations of the firefighters remained stagnant leaving them far behind in the race. Brigades, control