Sounds like you guys are all screwed then.....
If any one of these guys get through the selecton process what are you going to do? And what happens to the contracts that you are all on before these f#$kwi#$ signed one of these new contracts at the lower rate.
Here's a thought, can you change your contract companies if VN only give you one choice? Most of these contracts stop you from legaly working for another contract company, so lets face it you are now really screwed..... actually this could mean that VN are scewed because you wont be allowed to work for them legally for another company. So if PARC/Rishworth hold out on VN with the higher amount, and they threaten legal action against you for changing companies then you might be right or well... there are other jobs out there guys and the industry will get better. It sounds like VN wouldn't know when they are on a good thing if it came and bit them on the arse. As they say Pay peanuts...get monkeys