Colonel - just to keep the record straight VS reneged on their 2 year pay deal in 2008 for CC as financially strapped *yawn yawn*. Only part-one was paid in 2008 so in effect by the time the 2011 pay talks start there would not have a been an increase for 3 years for CC.
You are absolutely correct in saying that Sir RB did offer the alternative in writing 'like it or walk'.
There are serious murmurings within the CC ranks to get anyone who's not a Unite member to join as the general consensus is that Unite can help to iron out the pay issues there.
I wish them all luck.