I’m just talking, but I’d give up a 3% raise for a $0 salary (read: laid off), especially when I have other friends who have been laid off from private sector and non-profit organization jobs or on unpaid furloughs. Call me a cynic, but it seems to this observer that the older workers with dozens of years of service and few years remaining before retirement are backing the union’s stance and are more-or-less willing to sacrifice the hungry but less-experienced workers (and future of the workforce) to get their 3% raise, in the name of solidarity and all that.

I think of myself as a pretty progressive and generally pro-labor guy, but this sort of tone-deafness (or, at the very least, obstinance) in a time of economic crisis doesn’t help the labor movement. On the other hand, the Gov has zero negotiating capital. He is so unpopular right now that he could declare the sky blue and his poll numbers would sink.

Oh, and “Sabotage” is hands-down my all-time favorite music video, even more than Golden Earring’s “Twilight Zone,” which MTV played something like 5 times an hour circa 1982.

@Jenn/HR Wench Aw shucks, now.

@HRPuf I also learned that brass monkey is a funky monkey.

@Jesse Let’s post that question, tomorrow, and get the HR take!

@Stoutcat Whoa, thanks. I’m just trying to be honest. No tirade — just straight-talk.

@HRD I totally love the Beastie Boys/Unions/VW conspiracy. That’s all kinds of awesome.

BTW, Check Your Head is possibly the most underrated album of the 90s.

Laurie Ruettimann: Cutting the Crap, She’s DOIN IT RIGHT.