Pay Parity Between Police and Fire Fighters (From Collective Bargaining By Government Workers - The Public Employee, P 34-41, 1983, Harry Keeshen, ed. - See NCJ-101078)

• NCJ Number: 101079
• Author(s): J C Amar
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Baywood Publishing Co, Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Pay parity between police and firefighters is a controversial issue that emerged in the late 1950's. Most of the debate has focused on emotional issues surrounding an equity theory of wage and salary compensation.

Abstract

Those arguing for higher police pay contend that police do more work while on duty and that their work is more dangerous. Unlike police work, firefighting is difficult to quantify. It is, however, considered the most dangerous occupation and injury rates of firefighters far exceed those of police. Further, both professions require above-average personal qualities and rigorous training. Consequently, it appears that pay parity should be continued. Refinements will be needed to overcome problems encountered by public safety unions and cities in the administration of parity arrangements. Unions and management must define pay parity and the areas it covers in the collective bargaining relationship. Indepth surveys should be conducted of hourly structures, time worked on duty, and public policy toward pay parity. Finally, if pay parity is firmly established, then coalition bargaining of economic contract provisions should be considered. If coalition bargaining is unacceptable, then contingent parity language should be included in the contract of the public safety union signing its contract first. 7 references and 3 discussion questions.