AO is just in its infancy with marginal profits. If you accept the 9% pay rise and keep the pressure off costs, when the next EBA comes around, if AO has stabilised you will have better grounds to ask for a pay in recognition of your outstanding contributions and still have job security. AO is built on the grounds that it flys to destinations that QF cannot operate profitably, if you take that away, you also take away the grounds on which it exists.
Re the east west flying, the company can not commit to how much rest you get after a trip until it is known where the destination is, hours worked etc. One thing is for sure, they dont want to burn cabin crew out as they are their greatest asset.
If you deny the east west flying this will prevent AO from flying to many new destinations and future recruitment.
Does the FAAA want that ?? think about it !