Having read through this thread, with the different arguments about the reasons non aircraft trades are equally deserving of equal pay I have seen no mention of the fact that every day that an aircraft techie works on an aircraft he is signing legal documents, documents that could, in the event of an accident, put them in prison for a number of years. How many other trades could claim that.
Both my previous trade during regular service (supply) and current RAuxAF trade (nursing) require having to make regular legal declarations that, in the event of error, could lead to a prison sentence.