I'm assuming he means the trash bin because he hoped the issue will quickly go away, not that it shouldn't be being discussed.
Unfortunately I can't see any way that the customers(Airlines Operators) are going to allow NATS to continue without also suffering in a similar way to the cuts they are being forced/choosing to make. The businesses are so closely intertwined that it would be seen to be almost immoral that one part of it is seen to get away with little or no pain. That said, it is imperative that NATS ensure the AOs are aware that just getting ATCOs off the shelf is not the same as requiring 100 new B738/A320 pilots and filling the vacancies quickly with little conversion required.