Buster the Bear
The sums of money involved are low by comparison to other similar companies' schemes. The real reason for management's intransigence could be more subtle. They have promised the industry that crippling nav charges are to fund an investment in futuristic ATC equipment and systems; and there is unhealthy pressure to introduce a result. By forcing the "pension" issue and the inevitable industrial action that might follow, they will have managed to smokescreen their own ineptitude. [Besides which, the kit is a bag of worms.....no capacity increase and woefully inadequate in many areas].
If the main argument is future financial liability then there is no argument...management need to take a competency tablet and address the funding issue with a long term plan. The pension is an essential plank in the terms and conditions of our employment; a point the union should not forget.