RPI is a figure obtained from historical data: i.e prices have already gone up by that amount.
Any payrise at RPI will simply bring pay back up to the level prior to the rise in the cost of living. We are all currently, in real terms, getting paid less than what we were last year, notwithstanding any spine point increases.
So please Prospect et al don't let management screw us over using the current economic climate as an excuse. We're still sore from the shafting we received over the pension scheme. NATS have "controlled" one of their biggests costs, now they can give us what's fair.
Plus, the Euro is doing great vs sterling, so drop in revenue is more than compensated by exchange rate changes.