Not strictly accurate Germstone, how far are you going back?
Emerald are not in the premier league but more like the 3rd division, anyone who wants to play in the premier league shouldn't consider a career with Emerald.
That said, Emerald have survived, and survived well since the days of Janes Aviation and Janes Aviation (748). They have done this by putting profits first, this is common business practice and common sense, it's not rocket science and by staying in the black for a decade or more they remain there today to pay one's mortgage etc.
I never experienced, as you say, bully boy tactics. Yes, perhaps Emerald senior management might improve upon their man management skills but there has not been a recent change in the said management, it was there when one went in and it remains there today.
Of course, if one doesn't like it, one can always apply to 'The World's Favourite Airline', they're really flavour of the month with a lot of their staff at the moment or even apply to the Irish low-cost carrier, that's another really happy ship! or even the EMA based 'Star Alliance'.
Eventually, some will learn, that wherever they go, not everybody will be happy all of the time and some, through naivity, will always find something to complain about believing they are the only person or people in this world feeling hard done by.
This is not a defence of Emerald nor it's management, it's plain common sense and a voice of experience!