Anti-ice
the benchmarking that BALPA did compared BA with other major carriers right accross the board.
thus by comparing starting salaries and salaries after circa 15years they got a good idea of the market rate. You say that some BA creware paid more 'cos they've been there 15 years or so...this is irrelevant.
Whilst i don't want to start down the route of CC vs FC which has been done to death on here, remember that staying ain't compulsary. If you want a better paid job then have a look elsewhere. I think you might be suprised that to earn an salary like BA pay to OLD contract cabin crew you would need some serious qualifications or work 24/7.