Well, if the size of the class is 50000 workers, that amounts to about 2000 per worker... about a weeks wage?
I.e. the salary paid to these employees influences the salary expected to be paid to people doing the same at a different company. Especially considering the size and importance of the companies involved. Strangely, I haven't seen this discussed much in articles about this scandal. (of course I say that as someone who did not work at any of the involved companies)