Stevebbh
I agree - grossly was too strong a word - however in the past 10 years or so, ATCOS (in particular) have seen an increase in wages well beyond any RPI... I don't think obscenely so - I think that we are in no way overpaid. I think the decent wage rises we have had have brought us up to an almost fair wage. (Take away the pension though and that perception changes drastically. Many people see the pension as a payment in arrears).
This has been down to the negotiating skills of the Unions that so many people on here (who have not got off their backsides to become reps), regularly whinge about.
I have always been of the belief that is you are unhappy with something and are in a position to try to do something about it, then you should. If you can't be bothered, then you have no right whingeing! This exactly my beef with those who snipe at Union reps from the sidelines yet won't muck in and offer to do ome work.