muck, have you ever heard or understand the concept of a strike? There was no strike. The defined benefit crowd in control of the union went along and did not strike. They have their lovely pensions. And like I said they now blame the state for the hit they put on newbies. So muck you are blaming the state. muck would you rather retire at 42 and immediately start getting your nice defined benefit checks each month, or pay into an iffy ira that you can't collect until your 60s (without penalties) that is if the IRA actually performs? No comparison. The union members and the union did not defend future union members. They only took care of themselves. Sad. Pitiful unions. Where is the pride? The new members would have been better off in a rite to work state. The contract the newbies have forced on them by not only the state but also by the union is not a fair contract. The unions threw them under the bus.