He better be a REAL slacker before I would fire an older worker. If he had medical or family problems I give them a wide birth but would consider past performance. But..........one thing for sure, a company is there to manufacture a product and schedules have to be met. Without product, nobody would have a job.
So they get unwritten preferential treatment? No wonder you don't have much luck retaining younger workers. Sounds like a crappy place to work for the younger guys.
Do you see that guys my age (40) are treated differently now than you were treated when you were 40?