-"I can accept a reduction to 30 days for a year or so if it helps out"
No disrespect buddy, but acting like this is exactly what got you guys in EK (and most of us up here in Europe) to the disgusting level of T&Cs that we are now fighting hard to improve!
Honestly, why should you give up 15 days of holiday, regardless if you get them back or not, to "help" people out who are making hundreds of million dollar every year? Its not your fault that they ended up in this situation, right? If they have problems, then they need to solve it, not you! You are hired to fly airplanes (and all that comes with that of course - showing up on time, acting in accordance wiht SOPs, laws and regs etc etc), nothing else! There are other people hired solely to recruit enough pilots and cabin crew, to make sure there are enough planes to fly the planned production etc etc. THESE people are responsible for what is going on right now, not you! Do you think they are giving up 15 days leave to "help" sort these problems out? Hahaha! Answer is NO!
Until we, the pilots, stand up and say stop, things will only get worse. To be honest, we have ourselves to blame for this mess. We should have stod up ages ago to stop this madness!
So, stand up and say something, now! If they dont like you raising these issues, well with bus or boeing time you can have a new job in a few days....your choice...
/CP