Several Webster Groves police officers called in sick-one after the other. As the dispatcher took the calls, she thought there could be more to this story than she was hearing. In fact, she thought it might be related to the discussion she heard in the break room last night. Several officers were leaving their shifts and were not happy with the recent changes in scheduling, the excessive overtime hours, and management's reluctance to begin negotiations on a new benefits package. She even heard one officer saying, "It's time for a mental health day!" Although it is illegal for police to strike, what the police dispatcher was witnessing may have been
A) a grievance.
B) the blue flu.
C) a lockout.
D) a shutterbug.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Even though they can unionize, it is illegal for public safety officers such as the police and firefighters to go on strike. When negotiations break down between these officers and their management, some may group together and call in sick, as a way of boycotting work and demonstrating to management that they are not agreeing to the their work conditions. This is called the blue flu.

Several Webster Groves Police Officers Called in Sick-One After the Other