I think it seriously dumb to try and force a 'full value' pay rise when the company is struggling. It's no good whining about ppp. We have got it and the trick is to use it to our advantage.
The time to wield 'the big stick' is in two or three years time when traffic growth is booming across the pond ('cause that's where the big bucks come from) and every one is flush with cash.
As ATCO's we have to face two realities:
A/ If we want to have a bigger slice of the pie we have to ditch the idea of unanimity with other unions. I am not advocating this; I think its a reprehensible thing, but I bet we get told or even offered this by management at some time in the near future. So do we just look after ourselves, or be the raft to which grades cling?
B/ The economic rose tinted glasses that most units have been using to view the world with have gone for ever, and the way management have run 'real' contracts like London City and Cardiff will be the way every unit will be faced with. The unlimited en-route pot is over. Us in Airports will still be the poor relations, despite the fact that we are the ones currently keeping the ship afloat.
The future is not Orange (let alone rosy) any more. Get used to it Big Boys; the Perch and Minnow society has been used to this for years and now it's everyone elses turn to join.
Does anyone really think it would be better State run? You ask any Airport employee. They know what's been happening to them over a period of years. Now it's the turn for en-route.