the ghost of Samuel Gompers

background entertainment: DVD, "The Manchurian Candidate,"
(c)1962 Frank Sinatra Trust #10
(c)1998 MGM Home Entertainment Ltd.

American Airlines (hereafter referred to as "the Airline") came mighty close to securing a deal with the union.

Then the news of the bigwigs' bonus and pension deals came to light. Here they were, claiming they couldn't afford to help out the people who really keep the airline going - "sorry, can't pay you what you're worth," - yet the Grand Poohbahs were still going to get their bonuses. These bonuses were allegedly intended to keep the suits from fleeing the company.

The Airline did manage to get the executive bonuses eliminated, but the pensions remain. One has to wonder whether the union workers get similar pensions; my guess, based upon their reaction to the news, was no.

Either give the workers comparable pension packages or strip them from the Poobahs.

Samuel Gompers, I should imagine, is raising his fist and stomping his feet in joy at the backbone shown by the Airline's union workers.