Um....so what's the problem? I too am grateful that I have a job and that its relatively "recession" proof. My employer does his best to ensure that he keeps the business functioning. While he doesn't always state the obvious like this employer, he does make mention of it now and again when people complain. It does the soul good to be reminded that we do have things to be thankful for, especially when so many others aren't as fortunate. We simply need reminding from time to time.
I don't see where it calls the employees peasants (unless its the yellow portion of the letter) but whomever decided to call it thus is obviously a union dork (aka lefty) as they're the only ones who refer to "employees" as peasants simply because they work for a living.
JMHO