> The managerial and professional class has become aware of the fact that they're hard to replace, and employers actually can't fire them all

Not so sure they're that hard to replace. There's always the following:

* The unemployed, especially those displaced/affected by offshoring

* Slightly less qualified but trainable

* Those with criminal background issues, but are otherwise well qualified.

All categories would be served well through a staffing firm specializing in handling these kind of issues.