And you begrudge these workers "ice-water"? I worked as a gang climber back in the seventies when the RR still had a pole line. I remember how important that cold water was. I remember the Wyoming hot and I damn sure remember the sub-zero cold. We would eat our frozen sandwiches outside so as not to warm up and have to freeze down all over again. When your fingers and toes quit achin you want to keep it that way. Another over paid union job.
Ummm, no. I begruge them getting ice that is entirely unnecessary, wasted, not paid for by those who waste it, and that situation being carved in stone for all welders union contracts from then on. That's all.
A welder can afford to buy his own ice.