was the year that Caterpillar walked out on strike. I believe it was the same year. Anyway, I remember watching the news one evening and I vividly remember a big, burly guy crying on national T.V. during an interview moment while he was picketing the plants entrance. With tears streaming down his face he looked into the camera and said....." I can't pay my bills and take care of my family on just $20.00 dollars an hour !" I was floored!! My parents were self employed most of their lives and I started working along side them when I was about 12. I understood what a dollar meant to us. My dad was cutting hair for $1.00 (or maybe $2.00) a head and this guy couldn't survive on 20.00 an hour? I was making $3.00 an hour bagging groceries and stocking shelves and I was killing myself for that. I still shake my head wondering how anyone couldn't make a comfortable living in 1980 at 20 an hour. If the truth were known, his wife was probably making the same thing in the same plant or another just like it in the area. I don't get it. I would be thrilled with that kind of money today.
therick
therick