Well said Mr Hardworker-spot on.
Some answers to your questions.
Sick leave has tripled since the 8 hour shift. Its not because guys are being illegitimate its simply there is not enough recovery time. We frequently do 5 days on 1 off and then another 4. Most bugs take a good 3 days to fix so the only way to recover is sick leave.
Leave is accruing at a huge rate. I believe 700 hours a month. They can not afford the required lines in the roster due they cant afford to have us away. We believe the alarm bells have gone off in SYD about us as we approach the end of the financial year.
Also due to our roster inefficiency's we require more training in 747LE/738/A330. (3 shifts require coverage everyday now not 2) Well guess what we cant do it as once again as they cant afford to have us away.
We used to have over 16 lines for leave and training. Now its only 9 and we have over a dozen new staff!!!! ( 9 doesn't even acquit the leave)
What a circus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!