Labor Day
With the Labor Day holiday upon us, I thought I would relate some views about labor and management.
I spend an awful lot of time in my comment pages speaking about leadership and management and I truly believe in my heart that the problems I speak of affect us all. Now I am clearly aware that some of the labor management issues of the fire service in the Northeast are a little more unique then other parts of the country I believe there are lots of common issues.
Labor day is simple for me, but it's meaning has become unclear.
It is about the workers. It is about the working conditions in your fire station and departments. This applies whether you are paid or volunteer.
It also is a time to recognize that while the labor force is the backbone of any service, they are really dysfunctional without clear direction and management.
It is about both parties working in a common goal to make the service more productive. Now I am not suggesting any wild business concept here, or modern management technique, I am only suggesting that the best workplaces have the interests of their employees as the common goal of labor and management. It is not about the city or town and the contact or bargaining agreement over there, but what it is really about is the bridge in the middle.
Think about your own department. Is there "peace" between the troops and management? Does the volunteer labor organization or association agree with the way the department is being directed? Is the union satisfied with the chief?
What is the net effect of any of this dissatisfaction? Is it good for the department and its operation?
There are a million variables and factors that affect all of this but I am going to be so bold as to suggest a few below.
People in supervisory positions and department leaders need to listen more.
People in labor organizations should positively discipline themselves and the behavior of their members.
Both sides should aggressively fight for additional safety for their members.
Both sides should understand and manage the fact that municipal budgets are finite numbers and have consequences. We will not ever have the manpower and apparatus that we feel we will need. ( After serving as a chief in a department that was grossly undermanned, I feel qualified to say this!)
Both sides should understand that participation in a discussion does not always mean there will be agreement, but the more communication that exists the better all parties will be in the long run.
Do something this year that will build a significant bridge between union and management; Between the volunteer association and the chief;Between your department and city or town government; Between members themselves.
A work environment where folks are happy are generally better functioning organizations. The first customer we have to please is our internal customers and workers. Nobody is suggesting a free reign, but get control, establish boundaries, and challenge your personnel and they will rise to the challenge.
The ones that do not will never be happy and the team might be better off without them.
Have a great holiday week, think about making your workplace a little better, and use this Labor Day as a clean slate to make the next year a personal experiment in how you and you alone will have a positive impact on your department.