For what it is worth, I too would sign up to the alleged 10% deal if it is true. Over the last few weeks I have come to realise that if we are going to strike then pay is simply not the issue to do it over. The issue of DECs being promoted over the top of our fully-qualified FOs would be right at the top of the list along with rostering and base transfer policy.
To put this in perspective, we were assured of 100+ internal promotions this year and that no one need worry about the DECs as no one would be disadvantaged. Those 100+ promotions have turned out to be total fantasy but the DECs have not! People who are worrying about 1 or 2% on the pay deal need to realise that the potential loss of earnings to an FO who does not get promoted, apart from his/her personal frustration, is tens of thousands of pounds. This simply cannot be allowed to continue - we must get this sorted.
Once again, if the rumours are to be believed then the Company Council are to be congratulated along with all the members of BALPA who have stood shoulder to shoulder in a long and difficult battle against some totally unscrupulous individuals. This victory, if true, is probably the best pay offer obtained in any British company this year. If you consider that a few months ago with low BALPA membership the company was trying to give us a pay rise below inflation whilst awarding vast bonuses to wasters in easyLand then we have come a long way. We now have a very significant BALPA percentage membership and have won a very significant victory. Maybe BALPA do have something to offer after all.