SilsoeSid, I'd like to correct your observation if I may. I have most certainly NOT pitched that salary at a level commesurate with an ex-mil pilot's pension benefits. That has never been on my agenda. In parallel, it is far too sensitive an issue for the police to ever get involved with such a discriminatory subject either.
The salary 'package' has been massaged and developed over many years as part of an education process with my employers. They are perfectly capable of deciding for themselves how and where to pitch the remuneration. As long as there is someone out there with the qualifications who is prepared to work for 'adequate' money then they will continue to place the ad fairly and squarely at the lower end of their financial catchment area.
It takes people like us to invite them to appreciate that we are highly skilled technicians doing a specialised job and as a consequence we should be rewarded appropriately.
The Police industry is FAR too small to gang up on its employers - and why should it? At the end of the day they are spending public money and want best value. Who decides that we deserve well above average pay packets??
The most effective way forward will be what is happening now - the market is drying up, not enough suitably qualified pilots available and the suppliers of contract pilots are having to charge exorbitent prices for their 2007/8 marketplace. Military pilots are almost non exisitent.
The market lags and leads overall, I think we are currently lagging, slightly...but things are about to change dramatically I think.
BALPA - don't make me laugh! I don't wear a BA badge on my lapel.