NICNAK
I would imagine that the Atcos who applied to you did so before the pay and terms & conditions were improved at Manston.Before that time the pay and terms & conditions hadn't changed for 5 years despite many changes at the airport i.e longer operating hours amongst other issues.The good will ran out.Most of the Atcos were quite happy with the new pay,t & c's.
We are not stupid.If it does go tits up in the next few days I can assure you that none of us would expect or demand to be taken on under our present t & c's.We will just be eternally gratefull for whatever we can get.