gonoles, in the olden days, EK pilot contracts included a paragraph that stated that pilots would recieve an annual 3% rise in pay, or 'increment', for (I think) 15 years in each grade, (be it captain of FO). After 15 years, these increments would stop. (It's a sort of backhanded recognition of seniority payment.)
I understand that in current contracts, mention of the increment has disapperaed. However, with one notable exception a few years ago, the company has usually honoured the 3% increment, and continue to do so.
So, everyone (who's a pilot) got a 9% pay rise as of May and their 3% increment. If you husband is coming in as a new start, he can expect his starting pay to be 9% higher than what he was told it would be when he was interviewed.
Everyone will agree that's good news. It also an unfortunate fact that he'll/you'll need that extra 9% if you're going to live on anything more than baked beans for the first 12 months here. Prices of everything are rising at a truly alarming rate.