ExxonMobil, over the last 20 years, has been a very normal company in terms of profits vs. money invested.
You don't remember 1.00 gas in 1999 do you ?
Yes, in the last 2 years, exxon has made out like bandits, but that has only been for 2 years.
Further, big oil is somewhat unique in that their major expense is not for labor, but for govt leases and royalties for drilling. Hence taxes on big oil has relatively little effect on its employees.
I remember $.25 a gallon gasoline.
I think that we have been sold a bill of goods about big oil just like we were sold a bill of goods about "W". No longer will I trust either.
Big oil will sell out America to whom ever will provide it with the greatest profit.
I think that you will find that the cost of labor for most companies is not their prime cost, construction being a good example of an industry that is labor intensive.