During ck2000......most around here also believed the phoney-baloney Ponzi scheme pension story as well.
What you are witnessing.... and have not woken up to....is most here have joined reality and understand what represents real economic value, and what doesn't.
Wages lag inflation. Wages require an amendable date to adjust. And wages gain zero from economic activity by mgmt. that comes at our expense, but is not on our time card.