In agreement with you about SLS, never said otherwise, perhaps you are not reading my posts! But once again you still have not answered the question about new joiners on COS 08.
What do you consider their choices were?
As you have said a hiring ban probably would not have worked, but more importantly there was not one in place anyway.
You're right that in these conditions it would be imposible to negotiate a good deal and thus I can only conclude that you feel the AOA secured improvements are therefore a great achievement! As for the recovery again only time will tell if your prediction is correct. However, would you bet a large portion of your COS on that assumption, because that is what you are expecting the new joiners on COS 08 to do on your behalf
Now please stop acting like a politician and answer the question.