BUS
I'm in the ranks of the self-employed - playing devils advocate on this occaision.
Autorev
Basically you've boiled it down - people feel underpaid for their hours/risks/responsibilities - entirely understandable. I accept that this only applies to pilots, but have you seen the rates now being paid in civvy street by the likes of Ryanair? Not the good pay/conditions of even 10 years ago. Expansion of the EU is only going to keep the lid on those rates.
See it from the outside - Gordon gives the services a "Risks and responsibilities" award - so why not policemen, and then....
I joined well before Maggie T was elected in '79, and gave us a 40% pay rise because we were so far behind - so I do know what it's like to do a lot for knack all.