Wake up and smell the coffee, folks!
This is not, repeat NOT a "payrise".
RPI is, as everyone knows, a government -fudged figure that represents about HALF of the true inflation rate. The UK did not suddenly become the most expensive place in the world on Tony B Liar's 1 -2% RPI over 10 years, did it? Think about it!
Thus RPI + 1/2% is yet another decent sized payCUT, dressed up in the usual Orange smoke and mirrors to look different, and justified by a lack of unity amongst the aircrew (union membership) and a cynically devious misinterpretation of the Pulse survey.
Do not be fooled, this is the fifth or sixth year RUNNING there has been an effective paycut.
Next year? Well, you guess, eh?
ps. join the union, or buy vaseline and s-m-i-l-e!