bucy wrote:

I wonder why labor doesn't try asking for profit sharing instead of wage hikes.

This is one of the points on an NPR show last week, talking about aviation. One of the problems for management is that the top executives compensation -- as in most industries -- is tied to performance. When the stock does well over some quarter or year measure, their compensation reflects it (grossly, sometimes); when it goes otherwise, it gets less reported. Labor unions, across the board, are interested in fixed, steady wages... like pensions versus 401ks. Part of this is based on the pay scales -- having a 25% cut based on corporate performance is a lot less significant when you're taking in 400$K/year instead of 20$/hour. Part of this is based on the union being separate from the company -- they control the assets of their members tied to the contracts; performance bonuses are harder to control. Part of this is a general conservatism that occurs in any larger social body; risk-takers don't form these kinds of groups, so the bias is toward playing it safe.

JetBlue and Southwest both have significant profit sharing programs.

RE: Two Tiers, Slipping Into One