Your post reminds me that the same reasoning holds true for teachers, policemen and fire fighters, but  many of them have not received salary increases in years- most recent contracts are based on health insurance premiums being held steady instead of salary increases. 

The "Conoco Caucus" is motivated by more than compensation from the state, as we ALL know. 

BTW, most of the "Conoco Caucus" has VERY well paying jobs in the private sector- "they don't need no stinkin' per diem!"