Rumouroid's comments reflect exactly why the staff at NATS will no longer have even an equal starting status in any future negotiations, let alone be in a position of holding the upper hand. The Unions gave advice on the pensions issue, and a large enough proportion of the staff felt obliged to accept it - not because it made sense, but because its better to have something (ie a reduced pension) rather than run the risk of having nothing (no pension/no Company - the scaremongering tactic), or even just be out of pocket for taking a stand (loss of a few days wages). The same will now happen with the wages negotiations.
Both Unions no longer carry any credibility in the negotiating arena. They won't 'win' anything - they'll accept what is offered - even if its nothing! - and tell you 'its the best deal we could get'. And even if they did take the hard line, and say 'enough is enough', then the hard stance would fall flat on its face once the votes were counted, 'cos too many staff have too much to lose, and will vote on the same 'personal' basis as they did over the pension issue.
Best just to keep your membership going so's you can call on the independent solicitors' half-hour free advice available to Union members, and to have a witness present at your 1-2-1 chats with the local big-wigs.