Olster - I left in 2014, the year before the Bristow contract started, as the Sqn training officer on £72K (think Trg Capt, TRE/TRI).
The people transferring from Mil to Bristow went to circa £95K overnight in 2015. Until late 2022 when Liz Truss tanked the economy, inflation was 2% and it's now 3.2%.
The double digit inflation actually only lasted for 9 months or so but granted it was above 3% for a couple of years.
I believe the present SAR Capt's salary is a good bit north of £100K.
I get that the lack of pay rises over 8 years grates and is unfair but I didn't hear anyone complain about the money when they changed to Bristow.
That's not to say I don't support the actions of my ex-colleagues, the attitude of Bristow managements was in question before they even got the contract for UKSAR so some of my early concerns have been slightly vindicated.
My nephew is in the middle of a similar Balpa vs management battle over pay with a low cost airline so I have some sympathy with the Bristow crews.