The owner of capital decides where money goes, whereas the oilfield employees who sell only their labor lack that power. It is extraordinary that the joint stock company, the foundation of modern commercial and industrial wealth, is still so little influenced by employees that put their time and labor in to make the profit. In recent years, that disproportion has reached destructive levels. This is perhaps most evident in the preposterous salaries paid to top executives of the companies. And too many oil companies now operate as if their responsibilities are only to shareholders and not to their own employees. Why are so few companies owned by the people who work for them? Both liberal and conservative political parties will not offer greater incentives, such as tax advantages, for this to change. So for the long run, the oilfield employees will always be squeezed in every downturns.
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Executives are hired by the board of directors specifically to improve stock price. That is also good for the remaining employees because it generally indicates the health of the company. Executive compensation is based on stock price. I do agree that top level compensation is not in-line with real value added in most cases. I would like to see a penalty system for poor performance. Right now the only penalty is that stock options awarded at a higher share price may have no value. No publically traded company will ever have employees' interests as a priority.
What are you some sort of commie or something?
/sarc