Incompetence and mediocrity are two very different things. If you’re mediocre you’re still doing your job. If you’re incompetent you’re not doing your job. These firefighters were horribly negligent. The police officer, however, was incompetent.

In the case of the union, these firefighters are getting protections because of the principle that everyone deserves a “day in court”. They’re getting a second chance to not fuck up, but should they fuck up again any time within the next five years they will be fired.