[webXL]

Fact-checking FactCheck.org:

Let's assume that a union worker won't get an extra $15 per hour worked that current retirees are receiving. So take $15 off of their labor costs of $70 per hour (complexity through obfuscation). So that's

  $55 = VALUE of actual wages and benefits EARNED by WORKING 1 hour
  hours_worked_per_year = 52*40 = 2080
  earnings_per_year = hours_worked_per_year * $55 = $114,400

So you're correct, according to FactCheck.org, it's not $125k per year. But the point is still valid when you account for benefits. If my employer gives me a new Ferrari each year as a benefit, no one would consider me underpaid if I made $10/hour doing secretarial work.