aytoo,
I think you must have missed the "mainly" in serf's post.
In my opinion this is a disgraceful show by what is effectively the first generation of ex-military QHIs, supported even more disgracefully by their engineering co-conspirators. This is not the first time they've done it; The company narrowly averted a strike in 2001 (or was it 2002) when it caved in and awarded a substantial pay deal under threat of all out strike by the same crowd. Remember these are first generation ex-Mil colleagues paid to keep the future armed forces in the air. Quite amazing what happens to people once empowered by the strength of money and a union. These people are not struggling to make ends meet; The cleaners and the admin staff maybe, but not these chaps.
The MoD really must take heed under UKMFTS when determining the Civilian:Military ratio in its future Flying instructors. Any thoughts of Military Ethos, committment, loyalty, etc will no longer be there once these ex-military instructors are under civilian contract.