I do have some sympathy with management [puts on steel helmet and flak jacket]. While some of the measures seem completely out of order and questionable on the legal front.....from what you describe anyway....I am not too surprised. I did a tour in H&I and I worked alone on a five and a half day week.....loved every minute.
I visited the place more recently and found a situation beyond credibilty....a raft of controllers and reliefs.....a Fire service doubled in size.....about half the traffic level....and the actual aircraft significantly smaller in size and passenger load. The economics of a mad-house.
On the other hand there appears to be an airport run on traditional H&I mentality that is clearly no longer an H&I airfield.....it is a busy and expanding regional airport that requires a different mindset.
I think market forces and operator pressure might be employed to good use in bringing home reality. By the way, I hope the team are union members....what does the union say?