"So does anybody who's visited Planet Earth recently (apologies to Captain Blackadder) really believe that an RPI + 4% - 6% pay offer can be negotiated...? "
Prob not, but how come when things are good Baron gets 13% and we get RPI. The collapse of a couple of airlines is significant, but not the whole picture. Consideration should be given to the closure of West Drayton, impending closure of Manchester ACC. Also what about the fact that NATS gets it's revenue from Brussels (a nice conversion from Euro - £GBP at the moment).
The goodwill of staff is also incredibly important in meeting agressive future centres programs and (though Im not an ATCO but from reading these threads) AAVAs.
A lot of engineering staff will have pay cuts soon following the WD move.
I say RPI for pay fro a one year deal.
Pension not negotiable.