They'd be better off with the cash that they could choose to invest or spend as they please and they would be much better off if companies were not able to extract that amount of wealth in the first place. Then they wouldn't have to threaten a strike to get compensation. They weren't just gifted this. The union had to fight for it. Additionally, stock valuations change and they have a vestment period and restrictions on selling. If you read my comment as an indictment on compensating employees and not the system in which they exist then I'm not sure you're engaging in good faith.