Employee Relations - Fire Brigade Strikes of 2002.

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Employee Relations (HRM3005) - Fire Brigade Strikes of 2002

Student Number -

Name – Claire Duff

Course - BA Business Studies

Year - 4

Total Number of Words - 1495

        The fireman's wage strikes occurred in the latter part of 2002. A series of forty eight hour and eight day strikes were implemented. The objective of these strikes was to cause disruption to the normal fire cover provided by the fire department thereby making the general public aware of their pay demands. By highlighting their monopoly on fire control and trading on their high standing in the community the union hoped to influence the government's decision to offer the firemen a 40% wage increase. The union representing the firemen were asking for such a substantial increase because they felt that a fire fighters pay had not increased in parity with other essential services pay over the past 25 years. The initial proposal  regarding the amount of the service pay of a fireman was submitted back in July 2001. By September 2002 the country was on the verge of facing its first firemen’s strike in 25 years, Tony Blair was repeatedly saying that the 40% wage increase was an unrealistic offer. However, Andy Gilcherist the leader of the firemen’s union was refusing to consider lowering the percentage increase in wages that was being demanded. Consequently this meant that negotiations were at a stalemate and thereby leaving only one course of action. The first strike was scheduled to commence on the 29th October 2002. However, this strike was postponed, but not cancelled, due to 11th hour talks between the union and the government. The first strike actually commenced on the 13th November 2002. It was a 48 hour strike, which caused many disruptions to the United Kingdom, as well as a small loss of life. Even after this strike, neither the government or the union were able to find a solution to the situation. The government were only willing to offer a 16% increase in wages for the firemen taking salaries to £25,000 per annum and £29,000 per annum in London. When this offer was rejected by the union the commencement of an eight day strike took place at 9am on the 22nd November 2002. However, this disagreement goes back even further than 2001. To understand the stalemate it is necessary to examine the unique history of the fire service. The public sector, ever changing since 1979, have been described as inefficient and insufficiently responsive to the changing needs of society. They were not market responsive and employees were far too protected and complacent, due to a weak management infrastructure. The government decided to initiate a programme that would aim to streamline the fire service  by reducing the workforce and thereby easing the burden on public expenditure. This proposed reshuffle became an integral part of the government's strategy on salary structure, which explains why firemen’s salaries have not grown with the rate of inflation.

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        The roots of this dispute are firmly planted in an earlier decade and an earlier government. Then the size and success of a strike would be enhanced by the large membership of the trade union. The reason why firemen were advised to join the union was that it was deemed to be in their best interest. Likewise terms and conditions were set for the fireman during 1979, these being determined through collective bargaining at a national level. In recent years the number of public sector workers has been decreasing, this is mainly due to privatisation and a radical programme of ...

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