We're Not Alone...

Nightwatch

Veteran
Jun 8, 2004
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Average workers lose ground in wages as benefit costs cut into compensation
August 8, 2004 12:00 AM EDT


Aug. 8--Bill Zurheide, a former textile-industry worker, isn't better off than he was four years ago.

Zurheide, 53, of Fenton, used to make $60,000 a year at Western Textile Cos. of Kirkwood, not including his health-care package and company contributions to his 401(k) plan. He lost his job about four years ago. He has yet to find comparable pay and benefits.

But you don't have to be a former textile worker to know what it's like to be losing ground in the U.S. economy. The average worker in the St. Louis area is punching the clock in an economy that's producing a slightly higher wage, but it doesn't mean a fatter paycheck because surging health-care costs are zapping those gains.

In the last year, worker-benefit costs nationwide have grown 4.7 percent faster than wages, the highest differential on record, according to economists at the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank in Washington. The culprit is escalating health-care costs, a burden that is being shifted to workers by employers.

Bill Coleman, senior vice president of compensation at Salary.com, said the diverging trend of slower wage growth and rising benefit costs means average workers give only "a resounding OK" when assessing their future prospects.

"2003 was the lowest average salary increase in the last 25 to 30 years," Coleman said.

The good news in metropolitan St. Louis is that some of the area's waning occupations -- such as telephone operators, order clerks, home-entertainment equipment installers and insurance-claim processors -- are being overtaken by professions that pay more, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

For example, the state estimates that there will be 470 telephone operators in the metro area in 2010. That's a 50 percent reduction over 2000 employment numbers for a job with an average wage of $30,380 a year.

In contrast, there will be nearly 10,000 computer-support specialists in 2010, a 62 percent increase over 2000, according to state estimates. That emerging occupation -- one of the fastest growing in the area -- has an average wage of $42,230 a year.

The average wage in the area last year was $39,475 for private-sector workers. Most of the area's fastest-growing occupations -- computer-support workers, database administrators, desktop publishers and network administrators -- pay well above the area's average annual salary.

The state also estimates there will be only 6,080 fast-food cooks in metro St. Louis in 2010, or 20 fewer than in 2000. That's good news, too, because those jobs pay only $15,730 a year.

Debate has raged over the quality of the 1.4 million jobs created in the economic recovery.

For example, though Zurheide received a severance package from Western Textile, a family-owned business that was sold, his brief stint with a commercial awning company didn't work out when business grew sluggish.

"It's a little tough to find a job, but manufacturing and textiles aren't relevant anymore," Zurheide said.

Workers in metropolitan St. Louis, which includes the Metro East area, averaged $18.56 an hour in June 2003, or 2.77 percent more than the year-ago period. That's according to recent data made available from a national compensation survey conducted by the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The average wage for blue-collar workers, which represent 27 percent of the metro work force, rose 2.19 percent to $17.72 an hour. White-collar workers accounted for 54 percent of the work force and averaged $21.45 an hour, or less than 1 percent more than the year-ago period.

The remaining 21 percent worked in service occupations and averaged $10.60 an hour, or 1.7 percent more than in June 2002.

David Doorn, an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, said the compensation survey provides a good snapshot of worker pay. He said the agency's employment-cost index is better for tracking longer-term wage trends.

Over the last two quarters, the 12-month growth rate of the wage and salary component of the index was 2.5 percent, the slowest recorded for data that dates to the early 1980s, the Economic Policy Institute said last week.

"This component for the ECI has not fallen short of inflation since 1995," the institute's economic team said. "Thus, many workers are losing ground right now because they depend exclusively on wages to meet their needs. The increasing cost of benefits dampens employers' willingness to hire, prolonging the slack labor-market conditions that have led to the slowing of wage growth."

This is an about-face for workers because over the last decade, wage growth has generally outpaced inflation.

The slowdown in the growth of gross domestic product also means a more difficult job market. Even if new jobs are created, they tend to pay less and have fewer benefits than when growth is strong, said Peter Morici, a professor at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

"In (the Midwest), the poor GDP numbers we have been getting are reflected in the tougher manufacturing environment," Morici said. "Slow growth translates into slow-growing paychecks."

Zurheide has tried to land a job in the railroad industry, but nothing has materialized.

Mark R. Rank, a Washington University professor who studies social welfare, said the current generation of American workers runs the risk of becoming the first one that won't be better off than the previous generation.

"This generation of workers aren't getting ahead," Rank said. One of his recent studies showed that nearly two-thirds of Americans ages 20 to 65 will at some point turn to a public-assistance program.

Zurheide's safety net was his skill as a handyman. He charges $45 an hour as a home remodeler.

"I'm probably taking a 25 percent hit overall to my (previous) pay," Zurheide said. "But I'm pretty lucky that I can remodel kitchens and bathrooms."
 
As the TWU ATD Economic brief has stated:

For the past 12 month period, union wages increased 2.9% compared to 2.5% for non-union workers. Employee benefit costs for union workers increased 11.3% compared to only 6.3% for non-union workers, evidence that companies have been unable to pass on the cost of benefits inflation to union workers. Overall compensation including benefits for union workers has increased by 6.0% over the past 12 months compared to 3.5% for non-union workers.
 
Nightwatch:

We TWU represented folks at AA lost more than ground. They didn't just go after our paychecks, they went after the contract. They now have a taste of getting 40 years of gains back in just a short time!
 
Hopeful said:
Nightwatch:

We TWU represented folks at AA lost more than ground. They didn't just go after our paychecks, they went after the contract. They now have a taste of getting 40 years of gains back in just a short time!
[post="166851"][/post]​

I agree Hopeful, and I have complete faith they will do all possible for us.
 
Our union leaders and the members did exactly what should have been done. I am so sick and tired of hearing these whiny, self-centered, amfa wannabes cry about how the "other guy" makes a buck or two more. WHAAAAAAA. It's just not fair!!! We make a decent wage (better than most!!), good working conditions, we have medical benefits and we still have our pensions!!!! And those things were "saved" for the majority of this membership!!! So our union has done exactly what a union is suppose to do.

You wannabes call it whatever you want, AFL-CIO union, industrial union........our union came through better than most given the situation and has done better in the longrun at preserving jobs and benefits compared to the other majors. Does that mean that we should be happy and thankful about the concessions.........no. But I can go to bed at night knowing that we did the right thing. Not only for ourselves but for the thousands of jobs (AND FAMILIES!!!!!) that were saved. I did not vote yes to save the company, I voted yes to save what I have invested, what supports my family, and what supports other families just like mine. Now I can hear Bob Owens chiming in and crying about the highcost areas and how they got shafted worse than anyone else. I support COLA wholeheartedly but is it my fault that those in these highcost areas chose to go into this profession? Is it my fault the cost of living is so much more higher in NY (and some other places) than it is in Tulsa? NO!!!! The TWU made the right choice!! And you can look at amfa's track record to see that!!!

I believe we will soon have the oppurtunity to get back what we gave up. Will we get it back all at once, I doubt it, but I am not going to sit around and wait for it to come to me. I vow my endurance to my family and to my union brothers and sisters. A piss-poor attitude will get you nowhere. If you are looking for the pity-party look no further than amfa local 12. I hear they have "waller" parties on a weekly basis.




Let the bullets fly boys.........but be sure to whimper loud enough so we can hear you!!!!!!
 
TWUER, :up: :up: :up:

Neil on the radio talk show today, was comparing the difference in unemployment in the U.S vs. Europe. He discussed the 3% difference and the fact we work harder and have better work ethics. The percentage of eligible workers is higher in the U.S and has increased in the last decade vs. Europe where it has decreased.

I see some issues with some of this, but we are more loyal to the companies we work for than our families? Or do we feel earning income improves our family life? I read an article not to long ago about the rebellion going on in the U.S about the lack of free time available and how the employees are looking for companies that offer flexibility in this area!

One thing I thought was interesting, in the last decade, Unions in the U.S have been on strike 50 days out of 1000 employees vs. Europe at 271 days. It seems the Unionized employees have more pull in Europe. Or do they? Is work ethics or apathy playing a major role? Or is family life? If you go on strike you spend time home? Most of Europe goes on vacation during August? If you want to do business you wait?

Something else interesting, the royal family employees in Europe average 1 in 17 employees call in sick everyday and now offers a chance to win a car every 6 months for the ones who have perfect attendance.

Is this right? I know some employees at AA were trying to implement a similar program to offset the high sick rate!

I attended a benefit meeting recently and asked the Question of Management; If they were going to offer an alternative to restricting employee movements? Like a healthier environment? example; In Tulsa they are not allowing walks and are trying to restrict your movement outside your work area? This creates laziness? AA response was, It was not considered and instead offered a program to get on the computer and look at your health at www.webmd.com. While companies are promoting healthier environments AA seems to be doing the opposite!

Survival in a highly competitive environment relies on its employees! If their healthier and happier, it increases productivity! Wages alone does not make it happen!
 
TWUer:


Do you think it's ONLY AMFA supporters, or wannabes as you call them, that care they got raped? We're not talking simply paycuts to help the company, we're talking about the contract itself that affected TWU supporters as well.

The company took advantage of the financial situation leading up to and as a result of 9/11. They wanted things that were fought for and won over the last 40 years.

Why must you insist on making the concessions just "one of those things that needed to be done" without any dissent.


Everyone of us was and continue to be affected by concessions and AMFA supporters and TWU supporters alike.

But don't you truly believe that since AA got a taste of less vacation pay, sick pay, 10 days IOD. they will NEVER give those things back?
 
I support COLA wholeheartedly but is it my fault that those in these highcost areas chose to go into this profession? Is it my fault the cost of living is so much more higher in NY (and some other places) than it is in Tulsa? NO!!!!


The only reason you support a COLA is because it is not in effect. If it were you would change your tune.
I live for the day when AA implements a COLA. Thats when people like yourself will get what they deserve. A 20 thousand dollar paycut :lol:
Lets see how well you do and how much you like the sit twu contract when you are making 35K instead of 50K. You are a fool. I cant wait for the COLA, too bad it will never happen.
Maybe I can show AArogant airlines how much money can be saved I am sure it is close to 140 million a year. :shock:

The link is below if you make 60K in Long Island NY
You would need to make 38K in Tulsa Oaklahoma
A COLA of 22K
That would be fine by me. So how about it. twuscrew are you ready. :up:

http://www.claimspages.com/resources/claim...RE.src=homefair
 
TWUer,

Are you really as left wing as you come across?

The TWU, protecting all the potential victims from layoff. How? How about forcing the membership to accept these massive pay-cuts, and gut the contract of anything beneficial. Then attempt to silence the membership by laying the guilt trip on them. TWUer wants to call them whiners.

You know, when the company was initially talking about the need for concessions - most of us envisioned something like a 3 or 4 percent pay-cut and trim a little here and there. Most of us thought that it would be short term, maybe a year or two - then snap backs. Is it any wonder you have a pissed off membership. All the TWU lip service, is just that! Attempt to fend off the AMFA one more time with the usual rhetoric.

I really doubt anybody is holding their breath on anything coming out of this early opener deal either. Bottom line, we're stuck in the suck courtesy of the TWUs shortsightedness. So, go figure some of the former fence sitters signing cards now. I have auto and fac maint guys; even today, asking me if it's too late to sign a card.
 
twuer said:
Our union leaders and the members did exactly what should have been done. I am so sick and tired of hearing these whiny, self-centered, amfa wannabes cry about how the "other guy" makes a buck or two more. WHAAAAAAA. It's just not fair!!! We make a decent wage (better than most!!), good working conditions, we have medical benefits and we still have our pensions!!!! And those things were "saved" for the majority of this membership!!! So our union has done exactly what a union is suppose to do.

You wannabes call it whatever you want, AFL-CIO union, industrial union........our union came through better than most given the situation and has done better in the longrun at preserving jobs and benefits compared to the other majors. Does that mean that we should be happy and thankful about the concessions.........no. But I can go to bed at night knowing that we did the right thing. Not only for ourselves but for the thousands of jobs (AND FAMILIES!!!!!) that were saved. I did not vote yes to save the company, I voted yes to save what I have invested, what supports my family, and what supports other families just like mine. Now I can hear Bob Owens chiming in and crying about the highcost areas and how they got shafted worse than anyone else. I support COLA wholeheartedly but is it my fault that those in these highcost areas chose to go into this profession? Is it my fault the cost of living is so much more higher in NY (and some other places) than it is in Tulsa? NO!!!! The TWU made the right choice!! And you can look at amfa's track record to see that!!!

I believe we will soon have the oppurtunity to get back what we gave up. Will we get it back all at once, I doubt it, but I am not going to sit around and wait for it to come to me. I vow my endurance to my family and to my union brothers and sisters. A piss-poor attitude will get you nowhere. If you are looking for the pity-party look no further than amfa local 12. I hear they have "waller" parties on a weekly basis.
Let the bullets fly boys.........but be sure to whimper loud enough so we can hear you!!!!!!
[post="166911"][/post]​


I just can't get over you twuer, your such a unconscious twu believer, you can't see beyond today. The twu has given concessions contract after contract, well before 911....in "good economic times", for 20 years. The twu first started the b-scale rolling when Crandell scared them into it. Now finally, the totally worthless union led the whole industry so far down the sewer pipe a tanker of Draino couldn't help us. Agreeing to the most comprehensive concessions ever recorded is the final death card for the twu . The thought of AA going straight to Chapter 7 is the lie of the century, which was trumpeted by the most blind twu leader in recent memory, little jimmy. "We were going straight into Chapter 7" little said, and you could hear the collective hysterical laughter of management in the backround as they re-packed they're golden parachutes.

The continuous bombardment of other twu white lies is another reason why they are failing. If these industry leading twu concessions "saved jobs", then why does AA have thousands on the street? Hard one to answer. I guess not many twu members had to get second jobs in Tulsa, but around the system this is the only way you can make it if you have a family to support. You get to see the wife as you pass her in the hallway on your way to your second job. They saved jobs though, several of them for each member. Once again in the Tulsa twu small mind, no one else matters except those that choose to live in Tulsa. I wish some of the Tulsa twu blind could see what its like to try to make it on the line. They would be sniveling the first week, to a full out twu cultist gale in the second week.

We will never again see what the twu gave away, at least as long as the twu remains
in power. It will take a serious threat of a strike which will most likely trigger a PEB, and the twu International will never go that far, they just don't have the stones. There will always be some management born crisis which the twu will be forever selling to keep those twu blinders on, and the dues coming in. Morons like twuer and cio will never fight management to that end, that is a fact. We are just lucky to have a job, and we'll git 'em next time, is ingrained by the International into the hapless twu cultist mindset.

"Will we get it back all at once, I doubt it, but I am not going to sit around and wait for it to come to me" Twuer, are you saying your gonna grow a pair and start fighting? Plueeze, thats gotta be the best twu one-liner I've heard yet in my years at AA!!!

Punks, Drunks, Cowards, Functional Illiterates, Felons, and Scabs. The twu's finest.

NO VOTE? NO PEACE!!!!
 
Nightwatch said:
Damn...how'd you know he would cry so loud...HAHAHA
[post="167171"][/post]​

About time for you to retire soon Nightbitch. Mci won't be around much longer (rumors again). We have enough twu cowards, you may go now. HaHaHa.

Punks, Drunks, COWARDS, Functional Illiterates, Felons, and Scabs. The twu's finest.

NO VOTE? NO PEACE!!!!
 
:( :( As expected!!!! :( :(

We still did the right thing!!!!! But you know it's funny that you never mention the positive side of amfa. All you can do is criticize something that appears to be working. Tell me, what has amfa done to protect the profession that they so openly preach???? Amfa's bark is much bigger then their bite. They make the promises only to get cards signed. Not to mention do it at times of uncertainty, taking advantage of a bad situation!! I have had many, many people tell me that they signed cards to get you off their backs and/or because they were disgruntled at the concessions. They have seen that we did what was necessary to save the majority of the brothers and sisters who form this union and that after just one year we are doing better than the most other majors. And no I am not speaking only of monetary aspects (you know like the exrta buck or two NWA mechanics are making.........for now!!!!! :huh: ) like you so commonly do! (Please feel free to comment on the state of those at UAL, including the retirees!!!, or the massive layoffs and base closures at NWA.)

Just curious Hackman and T4C, do you stand by your man Delle that bankruptcy is the better alternative????? He still feels that way you know!


The only reason you support a COLA is because it is not in effect. If it were you would change your tune.
Oh, and T4C, I think you have me mistaken for the self-centered, hypocritical, only-in-it-for-me amfa brethren!! Don't assume to know what I think or want brother. You know what happens when you assume!! :shock: I used to live in a high cost area and know first hand what these guys are going through. They get hit twice and hard!! Let me ask you, are you for or against COLA??


We will never again see what the twu gave away, at least as long as the twu remains in power.
So tell us oh mighty Hack. . . .what will amfa do for us if they were to get in at AA? How will amfa manage to get back the things we gave?? Solid answers please, no beating around the bush or in other words NO BS!!!! Just the facts sir!! They are trying to get in at AA, certainly they have a game plan. Oh, and I will wait for you to ask Daddy, oops I mean Delle, for an answer.

I will finish as I started.....we did the right thing. If anything good came out of this is that it has made us that more diligent as union members. To offer solutions instead of always looking for the handouts. And don't tell me you weren't one of them!!!!! We became laxidasical (sp) when things were going "good" and when "tragedy" strikes we appear as deer in the headlights, not sure what we should do next. Well boys, tragedy did hit and I feel certain that we did what was right for the majority of the members in this union. Unfortunately we did have some "casualties" but our numbers compared to the numbers under amfa's watch are night and day. That my brothers is the difference.
 
Let me ask you, are you for or against COLA??

If you would have read my post you would know but I will repeat it since your reading comprehension is a liitle low.

"I live for the day when AA implements a COLA. Thats when people like yourself will get what they deserve. A 20 thousand dollar pay cut
Lets see how well you do and how much you like the sit twu contract when you are making 35K instead of 50K. You are a fool. I cant wait for the COLA, too bad it will never happen.
Maybe I can show AArogant airlines how much money can be saved I am sure it is close to 140 million a year"


COLA chart can be found here http://www.claimspages.com/resources/claim...RE.src=homefair
Tula mechs 38K NY Long Island 60K. We keep making 60 Tulsa gets a 22 thousand dollar pay cut :up:

BTW I am still waiting on your reply as to what the AArogant airlines turnaround plan is.

Is bankruptcy better than the turnaround plan??
I would have to say yes at least bankruptcy is a plan unlike the AA turnaround plan which consisted of nothing more than concessions and layoffs.
But people like you are to retarded to understand :shock:


Liquidation is inevitable 3 years and a new color on the tail :up:
 
.....and that's too retarded..........goofball!!!

Your words are like gibberish, I guess I overlooked it the first time.......sorry 'bout that dude!!! :(

I have already sacrificed for many, why wouldn't I sacrifice for COLA????? It's folks like you who don't want to give up ANYTHING for anyone else. You are for amfa, who help the select few, I am for the TWU, who help ALL those in the craft and class, and yes, those in highcost areas if COLA were to ever be implemented. Those of us who feel this way are not that few and far between numbnut!!!

Why are you amfa supporters so closed minded and think that everything should revolve around you??? That's not what unionism is all about!!!! :angry: I totally get your wanting to protect and enhance and advance the profession of the A&P but in all of amfa's years in existance and all of their promises to do so, I have yet to see any evidence of it happening. Now go ahead and cry and complain and change the subject over to the TWU and what you think they have failed at, but remember, amfa holds the burden of proof here and they have not delivered an ounce of proof that they will help me. They wanted AA to go into BK!!!!! The largest airline in the world and amfa wanted to throw 3/4's of it away!!!!! Yeh, that's the union I want fighting for me!!! NOT!!!

I want no part of amfa at AA!!!! :down:

All you have to do is compare the stats among the majors to see that the Turnaround Plan is working. Doesn't take a genius to figure that out. :huh: And you are for afma. I expect you to say that BK is better. Like I said before, ask those going through it!!!!!