Cohesion (or lack there of)
Pilots are their own worst enemies! Everyone of us is on a different agenda and Airlines (not just Emirates) play to this. If we were all working on the GM production line we might all pull together, but we don't. Some like an expat lifestyle, some avoiding commitments at home, some filling the pot before retirement or just shiny jet syndrome. Airlines know this and know they can keep pushing back because Pilots will not unite for the greater good. If it were the case, LCC would have been a long distant memory. Pilots won't come together for a cause, collectively we could make a huge stand! Imagine a shutdown of aviation for a day? However it is just not feasible.
Airlines know this and will always have the upper hand. Remember also many Airline CEO's rose up from check-in assistant, hate Pilots or are possibly failed Pilots. Either way, make a judgement on what you want out of it because that is precisely what everyone else has done and will continue to do.