"After the way they treated Expats in the past why would anyone join?
People with 20+ years of service treated like disposable temporary workers."
Who cares if they'd been there for 20 years? If you want the expat contract you know you're out when you're not needed (been there done that). My friends who went for the local contract are still there. If you don't understand the basics of your employment contract you have a problem, don't blame the airline.