ILS 119.5,
There have been a number of moving stories about people who've made sacrifices and put NATS before family; I admire your bravery and single mindedness if nothing else.
What maybe you're not appreciating is that a good number of candidates will put their family first. Consequently if they've applied believing that their family can only realistically be supported on wage X then finding a matter of weeks before they commence employment that their wage has been slashed is going to cause alot of problems.
This isn't about martyrdom to the pursuit of a career in ATC; nor is it about grasping students -alot of mature canditates are taking hefty pay cuts- it's about the realities of feeding and housing your family.
No applicant can complain about the new wage structure if they apply in full knowledge of it; it's the last minute change after many will have burnt their employment bridges that is causing the angst.