AA,
You mention lot's of other's that could claim 'special treatment', and 'could go on strike'. Fact is, quite a few of us, certainly at one rather chilly RAF Stn covered for the last lot of 'public servants' that decided to strike. We suffered a 10 month leave ban. They get 16 percent. Our reward on return to the RAF? Go to the Gulf to join the war for 3 months. (Oh and 2.5 percent!)
Sorry mate, you obviously missed out on the fun, but things have changed since your day, and you need to realise that it's not the flying club it may have been when you were in the business.
I say, bring on tax free on deployment. We deserve something other than LSSA taxed at 40 percent!!