Strike That

Anna Gregoline | August 13, 2004
Should government employees such as police officers and fire fighters have the right to strike?

Scott Hardie | August 13, 2004
Of course, assuming their union still requires them to fulfill their duties in case of emergencies.

My firefighters strike non-stop in SimCity.

I was about to say that we never see politicans go on strike because it's just too dangerous to their electability, but I do recall those Texas Democrats who took a road trip while their state congress was in session, trying to bring attention to the redistricting issue.

Anna Gregoline | August 13, 2004
But isn't the main work of firefighters to work during emergencies?

Erik Bates | August 13, 2004
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Anna Gregoline | August 13, 2004
Then how do they strike?

Scott Hardie | August 13, 2004
How should we know? Go look it up. Britain's firefighters have been on strike since 2002.

John Viola | August 14, 2004
I think the majority of time firefighters and policemen are taking care of the firehouse or police station or scrubbing the toilets or something. Of course the emergency response is much more high profile.

Similar to soldiers. The high profile is combat and engaging the enemy, but every other day, week, month, and year that combat is not occuring, these labor resources need to be maximized!

Anna Gregoline | August 14, 2004
Geez, ok.

Melissa Erin | August 14, 2004
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Scott Hardie | August 15, 2004
I apologize if that was harsh, Anna. Your question asks when practicality takes precedence over principle, and I guess we're just so used to discussing on principle and in this case so uninformed about the real nature of the work that we're unable to give an answer that isn't made up and half-formed. I'm sure firefighters have a real policy in place for how they strike, but I don't know what it is or how to go about finding it without spending the afternoon doing research, so all I can do is guess.