I can totally see your point of view Grease 7, its a bit like comparing ourselves to the Flight Deck too.
I too thought the last offer was a good one and would have been accepted even though my opinion was swayed towards the end when I gave the crew down situation a bit of thought.
Sickness has always been high at VAA, but we didnt start to experience these awful crew down flights until the management shake-up a few years ago with the arrival of ML and LS et al.
Variable manning was introduced, which is total joke and has NEVER worked. It just saves the company money at the expense of our pax. So I cant help thinking that most flights deliberately go crew down with a cover as 'crew sickness'. Just my theory.
One thing that I do think is quite admirable is that the company have left the current offer on the table. I thought that would have been withdrawn immediately. If this remains it gives the crew a rather large safety net.
I shall not be voting in this ballot as I am no longer a union member.