The Hammer: Power, Inequality, and the Struggle for the Soul of Labor Highlight

The union contract guaranteed a “Golden 80” pension, meaning workers could retire with their full benefits when their age plus years of service added up to eighty. It was a powerful incentive for workers to stay and build a career at the plant. It also meant that seniority was important, and new employees like Marks had to toil for some time to get the more coveted jobs.