I’m sure it’s a combination of things. But I know, if they wanted too, they could offer more than 1.3%… which I consider insulting, since the union voted to forgo a raise last year given the uncertainty with the pandemic. The thanks that they are giving us trying to stuff it up our behind again, of course.
I don’t disagree margins are probably tighter, but there is a difference between not being able to give a raise, vs not wanting to give one, and hiding behind the circumstances of the last year and a half to justify that position.
As far as being replaced, if they let everyone walk here, they’d have to hire outside contractors to do the work of 70+ employees, and that’s going to cost a hell of a lot more than giving who you have a decent raise.
My last place of employment during negotiations got quotes on what it would cost to farm all the work out, and that discussion lasted about a week, because it was about double what you were currently paying your help.