Rewarding people just on length of service is pretty dated - merit in most modern organisations is based on personal and company performance. Is it right a high performing employee should be paid less than an average performer just based on length of service ? Provided they both meet certain parameters - another view could be you want to reward and retain high performers and if the ones who just think it is their right as they’ve served their time - do the minimum, cynical ‘not like it used to be etc etc’ well an organisation might be happy for them to go........if your building high performing teams you need structures and reward to match not agreements designed in the 70’s.