Ducky,
I chose to be on an ABN because it suited me better. The company were happy to put me on fulltime. I did it because I didnt see myself being there for more than a year and this gave them and me flexibility.
The company isnt always out to screw you. I have found most employers in my lifetime to be reasonable when you approach them with a serious proposition about employment arrangements. Admittedly in aviation and especially for your first job some people will do anything. So employers screw them accordingly.
My stance of not working for free or below award probably is to blame for it taking over 2 years to score my first flying job.