Bingo! The fat will never be trimmed in this particular area until union negotiations are conducted insisting on concessions.
Yep, I said the "c" word.
At this point in time which would your prefer? Four years of solid future employment with a no increase in salary or a salary increase and an iffy future?
The union believes it should be both...I do not.
And Metal hit it right on the head, a large percentage of folks with no pension of any type are funding the pensions of those who bawl the loudest and profess to have the hardest job in the world.