I've never thought about that... there are no "competing fire departments" 🤔 other cities will have other fire departments though, but not always reasonable for people to move far for jobs.

Anyway my understanding of the article is at the police and the firefighters were all incompetent and they get to hide behind their union. If society keeps mediocracy around we will continue to be a mediocre society.

Why should the tax dollars of Denver residents go to mediocre firefighters? (that are protected by a union)

I understand that, but they also add a burden to the employer and customer. I see unions as necessary to protect basic rights and safety, but we have laws for that, so unions are really just looking at salaries and benefits. That's a human resource responsibility. A good employer will provide good benefits and salary to attract and keep good employees. An employer that has to deal with a union has to provide good benefits and salary for all mediocre employees.

Unions are for coal mines and slaughter houses, why do we still have unions for 'modern public service professions'...