Debt is around $4 billion and costing $252 million per year ($63million in interest every quarter) working out at 6.5%.
If they paid the $1billion of debt instead of share buy backs that would save $65 million, which would be the equivalent of $500 for every employee. On top this there's another $500 million of cash that could be used to pay debt, leaving $350 million for working capital.
Woth the spike in the rates the interest will increase further, so debt needs to be repaid quick.
Total pay raise of $750 from doing nothing major except paying off debt.
If the CFO was with it, the first $750 part of the pay raises is there for the taking and would be put in place already.