Black Pudding:
-For annual increase Everything is based on the date of your Final line check for your actual grade.
-And no.. if you change of grade you go back to the pay scale one in your new respective grade!(the pay scale is based on seniority in your respective grade,not inside the company and again the annual increase will be based according the new final line check date).
Standalone.i noticed the same ""to be competitive within the airline industry..""
...sounds better than writing "to try to stop the resignation hemorrhage.."