[bern4444]

I agree with you a good bit as well. This is a rare opportunity where employees have a slight upper hand and don't have to be dictated to for once.

I think what many businesses of all sizes often forget is that you get back what you give, usually as a multiple. Further, this increased return is often overlooked or ignored since its not immediately measurable until the action (increasing employees' pay) is taken. The flip side being, an increase in wages is an immediately determinable cost and so becomes the initial focus.