C H A P T E R 7

Stop Picking Employees’ Pockets

It Seldom Fixes Anything

WHEN LARGE COMPANIES fall into financial difficulties, it always amazes me to see where they turn first for help in overcoming their problems—to their hourly workers and other frontline employees, who are asked to take pay cuts and reductions in benefits such as health insurance and pensions. In 2005, General Motors asked the United Auto Workers union to reopen their contract prior to its expiration in 2007 so the company could reduce health insurance benefits for current and retired employees. After enduring a four-month strike by Southern California grocery workers, Albertsons, Kroger, and Safeway ultimately managed to freeze the pay scales of existing employees, hire ...

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