Sounds like you might have to put a seniority restriction of things lke that starting with the highest down to the lowest & if the higher ones don't want, then it leaves of open for the newer employees especially since they this is not the first time they have shown themselves to be a bunch of vultures. As manager, you & the higher up managers can set up any policies that seem appropriate given the overall situation you are dealing with.....you don't even have to say anything except to distribute your new policy so that it's available to everyone & there are NO questions.