You're clutching at straws PAF.
89 was 15 years ago - I would sugggest that the industrial situation has changed markedly since then!!
Nurses in NSW are going for more than 4% per year becuase others in the medical profession have gotten 5% per year.
I stand by my statement that union claims these days are different (and more responsible) than 15 years ago. As Ultralights said, 10% may have been an opening gambit in the case you cite. You don't start negotiating with your best possible outcome (unless you're AIPA).