Sonnendec:
Just a question through pure ignrorance, I don't really understand why you say companies wouldnīt make profit if theire staff worked less hours and earned more than what you quote... For instance, the main reason (apparently) why AENA has been having the financiall difficulties it has had, is mainly because of all the works/construction of airports they built around spain,(followed, by the typicall ill managment and administration: but that's another cup of tea) and not because of the high salaries the ATC's had . So, if AENA could afford to pay those salaries, why wouldn't any other private company be able to?.
This is due to the conditions of the licitation (i donīt know if this word is right in english, iīm completely ignorant in english economic technical vocabulary). Itīs not an "old days" privatization, itīs just an agreement for 5 years during which the new companies assume the management of these towers with their own controllers for a certain amount of money. After very few calculations, those are the conditions they would have to impose to be profitable.
Best.