RC, thanks for stating the blindingly obvious. This is what we have done for many years and generally it has worked, although stacked in favour of rostering's needs.
However, we are now at a position, that if we continually solve managements problems and lack of planning by working days off, we will never get the problem fixed. They have a habit of pushing the limits, just when we are used to being asked virtually every day off to do a trip, they will next insist that we have to work any time they see fit.
Management in this company are a bit like dogs, you have to be consistent with them if you are going to improve their behaviour.
Woof!