I agree - unions have destroyed more than than just companies - they have taken whole States and much of the country for a ride. The only way to fix it is for companies to go into bankruptcy to renegotiate deals (if the Feds will let them) or for the People to start electing officials/reps who understand what a cancer unions have become. They also need to approach it like some of the Social Security reform plans that have been offered; grandfather those of a certain age group and decrease the perks for the younger folks who have time to make long-term plans, else, a lot of people who aren't at fault will end up on the dole. The continuance of what has gone on is very persistent and hard to break and it's also to overcome people's fears when they will be affected - it's like trying to pour only a little out of a spittoon; it all comes out in one strand.
Unions don't do that!
Which raises a good question ~ how many folks on this thread have the slightest understanding of how management deferred payment plans and retirements work and why?