In the post-9/11 U.S., firefighters have become heroes, showered with media worship. But in England, their pedestal is considerably lower. The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has been on strike. They want more money, and I guess they don’t care who fights the fires while they fight for a raise.
Granted, the Brits seem to love to strike. From the day last July when I arrived back in London to witness the absolute chaos caused by an Underground workers strike, to the teachers, to anyone else who thinks their paycheck is too small, it seems that nobody over there in jolly old England ever goes to work.
But firefighters??? Whatever happened to the concept of an “essential service”? Labour law may have its own quirks around here, but it would only take about 30 seconds for the government to order striking firefighters back to work. Just as they did nurses, and teachers. After all, who else is going to fight the fires?
Apparently, the army:
About 19,000 army, navy and airforce personnel — a tenth of the country’s forces — have been drafted in as cover, using outdated “green goddess” fire engines up to 50 years old.
So now they can’t even use modern fire trucks???
London’s a great city, but something’s sure screwy over there.
(Thanks to Jon and Tom for input on this one.)