Mate you're right about what's possible re 3% plus annual bonus. But as one co-worker correctly pointed out, 5% this year then next year it's 5% of current wage + that 5% and so on, ie it compounds. A bonus is a one off (which all qf staff have received over the last 3-5 years). So you are saying we should go along the same lines as s/h techies which is fine, but remember it's also subject to marginal tax. Therefore if 100k is an ave wage (is it?) 3% is an extra 3k p.a. We would need an extra bonus of 2k in the first year and you can work out the rest if you want to compound it. It's not easy is it?
Then there's those clauses: company says they don't mean much, eba committee doesn't want a bar of them. Committe is negotiating on our behalf so I have to believe them (not a case of not trusting the company on principle) that they are very much on the nose. And if the company is digging in heels to keep them then you can bet the mortgage that 'good faith' is a term that is only being paid lip service in these negotiations.
Come what may we have to stick together when it gets nasty - and it will. Have a look at this link to get some historical perspective and check out the 1 person who was there 20 years ago is very much still a player in 2008.
http://www.vision.net.au/~apaterson/...9_document.htm
Cheers