Keywords: public employee, strike, collective bargaining, labor union, blue flu, red rash

Police officers, firefighters, schoolteachers, and other public employees sometimes resort to work stoppages, also known as strikes. These public servants often argue that strikes bring better working conditions, higher pay, and other benefits that cause the rise of a higher professional morale and a better community. Others often look at public employee strikes as a huge burden that should never be allowed by the government (Johnson…[et al.], 1996, p. 67). Judges generally hold that public employees do not have the right to strike (p. 276). The fact that strikes are illegal does not stop public employees from forcing changes by other job actions. Firefighters have been known to catch the "red rash," police come down with the "blue flu," teachers have suffered from "chalk-dust-fever," and state workers such as in Pennsylvania have called in with "budgetitis" (Milakovich & Gordon, 2001, p. 315).

Public employees began joining labor unions as early as the 1830’s. By joining unions, employees could make strong impacts and bring about changes in their workplace. Unions brought employees together to help better working conditions. State and local government found some success through the activities brought about by unions, while federal employees had very few results. Federal employees, mostly artisans and craftsmen, were employed by the War and Navy Departments. Military officers that were not affected by public opinion oversaw these federal employees. Due to the lack of pressure upon federal employers, the workers were forced to resort to making use of the strike. The workers walked off the job at the Washington, D.C. Naval Shipyard in 1836. After several weeks of striking with no results the workers were forced to make a change in their strategy to pursue their ten-hour workday. A mass demonstration by strikers and private sector organizations confronted President Andrew Jackson. Help from private sector organizations was common due to competition for jobs and the relationships made during past jobs. President Jackson intervened in the strike and the workers were granted a ten-hour workday (Smith, Edwards, Clark, 1974, pp. 1-2).

Recovering from the Great Panic of 1873 brought organizations during the 1880s that were primarily for public employees. These organizations were called associations. They were formed mainly to keep moral high by using association social functions. Public employee unionization was stopped for several years because strong opposition to the Boston police strike in 1919.

The American Federation of Labor began in 1936 and founded the first national union for state and local government employees. The union was called American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Government employees of all types joined organizations that were composed of workers in the same line of work. Teachers, firemen, and police officers were the first to organize. Although there was growth beginning in 1936, public employees did not become a prominent national labor force until the 1960s (pp. 3- 4).

Collective bargaining is a step-by-step process that allows for negotiation between "management" and "labor." It is used to help employees reach an agreement with their employers about the terms and conditions of their employment (Milakovich, Gordon, 2001, p. 305). Collective bargaining takes place in the political sector, which has different motivations and goals than the private sector. Participants in collective bargaining include management, workers, and other individuals and groups (Moskow, 1970, p. 206). The Wagner Act caused many states and Congress to recognize the power of collective bargaining. This Act enables employees to evaluate their working conditions and try to change anything they feel is unfair. The Wagner Act did not come into full working force until after the Depression. When it was first enacted, most employees saw no use for bargaining. By 1965, public employees realized they had the same rights as other private employees. "The desire of every human being to have a voice in those activities which have substantial influence on this life motivated public employees to organize" (Colosi, Rynecki, eds, 1975, p. 7). Collective bargaining is not a fad, it is here to stay for quite awhile. The scope of its use will widen dramatically in the area of public employment. States such as Missouri does not allow public employees the right to bargain because taxpayers feel that these employees would abuse this power and taxes will be raised. This is something Public employees are still fighting for (McLure, 2002).

Teacher strikes have increased, which has prompted much question and speculation. Teachers feel they are underpaid, have unsatisfactory working conditions and are dissatisfied with the non-teaching duties they are required to perform (Colton, Graber, 1982, pp. 11-12). To try and change these conditions, teachers have duplicated the processes used in private-sector labor-management relations by forming unions, practiced collective bargaining and conducting strikes (p. 117). Strikes may have some positive effects but they are not all fun and games. The teachers, community and especially the children suffer. There have been efforts made to deter teacher strikes. There can be negative consequences to strikes. Fines and jail sentences are two such consequences (p. 122). Even though these consequences can have an affect on teachers for a long time, it does not always deter teachers from striking. Teachers do exercise another action instead of the strike. They plan a sickout. In Detroit, Michigan in February 2002, four public schools were closed when more than 80 teachers called in sick. The teachers complained over wages and the rights they had as employees (Warik, 2002).

There have been many police strikes throughout the world over the last 100 years. Some examples of police strikes are Boston in 1919, Montreal, Canada in 1969, Waukegan, Canada in 1970, and New York City in 1971 (Omoigui, 2002). Most United States police officers are not allowed to strike today. There are now laws in most states that deny officers the right to strike. Police officers have found other ways to paralyze the operation of their department without breaking the law.

Police officers in North America have been known to call in sick with the "blue flu." All officers wanting to make a statement call in sick, leaving the police force short of officers or even without officers. The "blue flu" is often used as an effective tool in collective bargaining. On February 14, 1998 more than 20 Yale police officers called in sick. Non-union supervisors were forced to work. Officers denied the job action as being organized, which would have been in violation of the no strike/no lockout clause (Wilner, 1998). This sickout caused Yale to agree to negotiate with the police officers to help them get the action they wanted. In case of such actions, administration should have a plan for back up officers. Arkansas has been known to use State Troopers to take the place of those "sick" officers. Some states are even forced to call in the National Guard.

Firefighters resemble police officers and teachers because of the important role they play in today’s society. November 22, 2002, UK firefighters are striking on behalf of raises and government intervention in negotiations. This is the first strike in twenty-five years for the UK firefighters (Jones, 2002). In the United States, firefighters are forced to call in sick with sicknesses such as the "red rash". Just as the "blue flu", the "red rash" is used as a tool for collective bargaining. Michigan has the largest professional, career firefighters organization. For a mere $5.50 a month a firefighter can join this organization of over 5,000. This organization exists in order to make a better work environment and help firefighters secure just compensation for their duties (MPFFU http://www.mpffu.org/about/who.html )

Unions have provided public employees with security and the ability to get what they feel is best for their workplace but there are problems they face after they have received what they were looking for. We can see the obvious problems associated with strikes such as riots during a police strike, schools being closed during teacher strikes, and the destruction of fires without firefighters but there are also problems that are not as noticeable. Taxpayers help pay the salaries of public sector employees. When there is a strike or job action that negatively affect the taxpayers there is resentment towards those employees. Unions have changed public sector jobs by paying them by endurance instead of performance (Duffy, 2001). Police officers need the respect of the community. By participating in these activities they are losing respect and making their job more difficult. Firefighters in Missouri are fighting to gain the right to bargain collectively but taxpayers are taking a stand and voting against it every time it is put on the ballot. Taxpayers in Missouri fear this right will raise taxes due to employees wanting more money (McLure, 2002). Public sector employees, not only have to answer to their supervisor or boss but they sometimes have to answer to the taxpayers.

Colton, David L., & Graber, Edith E. (1982). Teacher Strikes and the Courts. Massachusetts: D.C. Heath and Company.

Duffy, Sean, (February 6, 2001). Time for Taxpayers to Strike Back at Teacher Strikes.:Available: http://www.commonwealthfoundation.org/education/union04.shtml

Johnson, James A. [et al.]. (1996). Introduction to the Foundations of American Education. Massachusetts: Simon and Schuster.

Jones, Alan., (22, November 2002). Firefighters’ Strike Goes Ahead. Available:

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/600uk/page.cfm?objectid=1234853&method=full&sightid=50082

McLure, Jason, (September 23, 2002) Missouri Cities Oppose Strengthening Firefighter’s Union. http://www.mdn.org/2002/STORIES/FIRE.HTM

Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union(MPFFU), Who We Are. Available: http://www.mpffu.org/about/who.html

Milakovich, Michael E., & Gordon, George J., (2001). Public Administration in America. California: Wadsworth Group/Thomson Learning.

Moskow, Michael H. (1970). Collective Bargaining in Public Employment. New York: Random House.

Omoigui, Nowamagbe. (2002). Police Strikes, Mutinies & Coups in World History. Available: http://www.gamji.com/NEWS1139.htm

Smith, Russell A., Edwards, Harry T., & Clark, Theodore, Jr. (1974). Labor Relations Law in the Public Sector. Indianapolis: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.

Warikoo, Niraj. (2002, February 19). Redford Hit by Teachers’ Sick-Out; 4 Schools Close. Available: http://www.freep.com/news/locway/sick1920021119.htm

Wilner, Isaiah. (16, February 1998). Yale Police Do Not Show Up for Work on Saturday Work. Available: http://www.yaledailynews.com/articlefunctions/Printerfriendly.asp?AID=9688

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