Danger Mouse: the company agreed to publish a roster one month ahead which it can adjust up to 2 weeks before the day. Even with that written commitment they have in the past taken every opportunity to alter duty days and RDOs, so if pilots had to agree to every extension it would severely compromise a monthly roster, not to mention make off-duty chores and family commitments impossible to plan. In the event there are no reserve crews, the company may have to source another crew at a cost, so why not offer the current crew incentive if they can organise someone to pick up the kids, etc.
The reason many crew like the regional airline lifestyle in the past is just that ability to have another life (and at home!) beyond flying. If the 2 - 4 week roster commitment wasn't part of the deal, then many wouldn't have bothered even joining - bit too GA without.