The union people, however, were not the only ones who walked out.

"I never thought of union people as interested in the same issues, but they are," she said.

But the union people didn't buy that reasoning one bit.

But the owners' tone changed 180 degrees the next day, union people said.

The union people can do what everyone in the private sector does - get over it and hit the pavement.

The group "ranged from union people all the way up to a general superintendent," he added.

But his biggest contribution may be in helping union people feel they aren't crazy.

"Longevity benefits and a county car have been taken away while union people got raises," she said.

"And how are the negotiations coming with the union people at Granfield?"

When the union people read the letter, part of that sentence leaped off the page.