Surely the best thing for all is to be unified and represented as employees of NATS - regardless of grade, location etc.
An operational/non-operational split is still just that... a split... and so weakens the position of all.
No argument that the ATCOs hold greatest sway with management, but their position is strengthened with every other group who join them.
If we could all concentrate less on picking each other apart to decide who deserves most and look upon our fellow workers as just that... then we'll all see the benefits.