Off stand - from my original post:
"replaced the whole workforce of long haul Gatwick crews by using 6 month temporary contractors at Heathrow and upping recruitment at shorthaul Gatwick for a while before hand."
So I wasn't suggesting they were simply replaced by the temporary contract crew. It was a mixture. I also agree that you did not have much choice. And this too was my point. Willie will work out how to do things without giving you much choice. The attack on your terms and conditions will only happen when you are at market rate. Currently, you are not. I do not blame you one bit for trying to protect what you have, and I will personally support you, but whilst you might win the odd battle, you are unlikely to win the war.