The cost of privatizing public services

A lifeguard in Hallendale Beach, FL was recently fired for running to save a drowning man because it was “out of his designated zone.” But it gets even more appalling. Six of his co-workers were then fired for admitting they would have done it too. Seriously, who could just stand by and watch someone drown?

Now before you start muttering about public employess and union rules, you should be aware the city had contracted out the lifeguarding. These kids were working for a private company that justified the action this way:

Jeff Ellis and Associates, the aquatic safety contractor that fired Lopez, did not immediately respond to ABC News requests for comment. But a company spokeswoman told the Sun Sentinel that Lopez’s actions raised “liability issues.”

“Usually when the municipalities hire someone to [lifeguard], those organizations are not only taking on the responsibility of the job, but a lot of the liability,” said Tom Gill, a spokesman for the United States Lifesaving Association. But, he added, “It seems unfortunate that a guard would do what he’s trained to do and be fired for it.”

That may explain firing the one kid who actually broke the rules, but how to justify firing the other six who only defended him but didn’t actually break any?

This is what is what happens when you live in a “right to work” state. Employers can fire you for any reason whatsoever. This is the work environment Republicans and conservatives want to make mandatory for the entire country. Privatizing all government services under “right to work” laws. Because it’s good for business.

Surely it’s good for business owners. For workers, not so much. And in this case, not exactly serving public safety either.