I am surprised that most comments here have zero empathy for a worker in that age group that had been (for lack of a better way to put it) 'put out to pasture'.

I am surprised that most comments here have zero empathy for a worker in that age group that had been (for lack of a better way to put it) 'put out to pasture'. Under the same type of thinking (and I wouldn't say that I am a union sympathizer in any way) there would be little use for unions since there will always be a large group of people that are willing and able to take the job at a vastly lower pay rate (for many union jobs). There has to be a balance but the balance isn't simply removing all restrictions and letting people loose their living. And no when you are in your 60's you are not going to simply learn and pursue a new career either everything becomes harder and your obligations are such that many times it's simply not practical.