The $27.00 average is just that, a nation wide average according to an article read in the Birmingham News, business section. Since non-UAW related employees nation wide get varying amounts for benefits, ranging from none to full, it was taken strickly from salaries without benefits. The point that was made though, how can companies whose workers earn nearly three times, in wages and benefits, expect those making much less, to bail them out.
One correction to my earlier post though - The Ford CEO's compensation of $36 million was not for last year. According to A Washington Post article published in the Birmingham News today -- Mulally CEO of Ford only earned $21.7 million last year and Wagoner CEO of GM $15.7 million last year, no figures for Cryslers CEO Nardelli were given. Also, I think it would be interesting to see the figures that the UAW president, who testified earned and how he got to DC. When ask by Peter Roskam, R.Ill, if any of the big 3 CEO's, as a symbolic gesture would be willing to work for $1 dollar a year to clean up the mess their companies are in [the same thing Ex-Crysler CEO Lee Iococco did in the 70's, to get the federal governmet to help with a loan for assistance]- Mulally replied "I think I'm OK where I am".
Another intesting article today in the same paper, only this one is from the AP: - The Democratic Congress is unwilling or unable to approve a $25 billion bail out, so they want to "punt the automakers" fate to a lame-duck Republican President. The only exceptions of coarse are Reps. and Senators from the auto industry states i.e. Sen. Carl Levin D. MI, Sen. George Voinovich, R. Ohio, and Sen. Kit Bond, R. MO, who where trying to placate skeptical Demorats by including a guarantee that the fuel-efficiency loan fund ultimately would be replenished.
In many, including the last election, Michigan [largely because of union support] has been known as a Democratic state. If the Democratic Congress rejects the bail out it will be interesting to see which way the unions lean next election.