1.   These changes did little to placate the unions.

2.   In the past, too high a priority was given to placating jail unions, he told the prison service annual conference in Blackpool.

3.   To keep labor peace, the administration has sought to avoid layoffs, and the announcement could simply be an effort to placate the unions.

4.   To placate its unions, GM has pledged to reduce its work force through retirements, not layoffs.