That's right, it is the way we SHOULD be treated. That's the whole point, trying not to let Ts & Cs get erroded to the state they're at in other parts of the aviation world. Look what's happening in Aus at the moment, we don't want that, and we won't accept it. Very few pilots arround the world have to travel so far for their sim training anyway.
If you compare the quality of life of a Mount Cook pilot, with someone from Easyjet or Ryanair, I think we know who comes out on top (even Money-wise when you factor everything in). There is a move for management to view pilots as an expendable part of the labour force, and treat them accordingly. That is what we must all resist. I see this as a test case. If things go too far down hill, I will have no problem changing careers.