Ahh yes, '77 - when I was in Baghdad, and a lot of the staff now at LL TWR (and probably across NATS, too) were in Dad's bag. Its no good the older staff 'telling it how it was', 'cos it means SFA in relation to nowadays. We have to deal with what's going on right now, and frankly, even with Union support, I don't think the majority of staff, (for various and probably good personal reasons), have got the balls to take the Mgmt on - and a ballot for strike action would probably prove it.
It is a tough (aviation) world out there, especially outside of NATS. For some of us, just holding on to a job is going to be a result this year, let alone thinking about a fckn pay rise! Those who are in the more 'safer' jobs/areas of NATS will not be sticking their necks out to help those whose jobs are on the line - but they will expect these same people to support them in aid of a pay claim!
and thats where it all goes to pot, both from the Unions' perspective, and within the workforce itself - too many people with different priorities, and not an ounce of 'we're in it together' between the lot of 'em.