I'm no lawyer, but I'll attempt to string together a few of CX's COS paragraphs, hopefully to highlight how SOs are ALL being shafted, not just those on the 744.
6.2. Recruitment of First Officers by Direct Entry will normally only take place when there are no Second Officers suitable for promotion.
This is clearly not the case, so 6.3 is being used
6.3. In the event that recruitment of First Officers by Direct Entry occurs, other than in accordance with 6.2, Second Officers suitable for promotion will not normally have their promotion to Junior First Officer delayed by more than twelve (12) months whilst such First Officer recruitment by Direct Entry is taking place.
7. PROMOTION
7.1. Selection
a. Selection of Officers for promotion to higher rank will be in accordance with
seniority on the Officers’ relevant seniority list and is subject to a Selection
Panel recommendation.
Pretty clear that promotion is to be in seniority order.
7.2. Second Officer to Junior First Officer
b. Second Officers joining by Direct Entry will serve as Second Officers for
approximately eighteen (18) months.
c. Promotion to Junior First Officer will occur when the Second Officer is
allocated a conversion course, the effective date of promotion being the course start date. The number and timing of Junior First Officer upgrade courses is dependent upon Company requirements.
The magical company requirements... The company requires FOs (and SOs)
10. BYPASS PAY
10.5. In any case of recruitment of First Officers by Direct Entry, other than in accordance with 6.2, the next most senior Second Officer suitable for promotion will receive First Officer Bypass Pay in the form of Junior First Officer’s Salary on a one for one basis commencing three (3) months after the date of joining of the First Officer recruited by Direct Entry. The payment of First Officer Bypass Pay will cease when the Second Officer receiving bypass pay commences Junior First Officer training.
Note that for the payment of bypass pay, the COS says SUITABLE, not selected as in COS para 7.1 above. So how does one become "suitable"? From Vol 7, you need:
Requirements for Upgrade to JFO
a. SOs are required to achieve Grade A and be able to maintain a Grade A standard, A minimum of three training modules at Grade A, spread evenly over a period of at least 3 months is required to meet this requirement.
This is where the 18 months as an SO comes from; 12 months to complete modules 1 through 6 and achieve Grade A, plus 3 more modules at Grade A level. The individual is now SUITABLE for upgrade to JFO, hence bypass pay is required to be paid when DEFOs are recruited.
Note that the tech assessment is NOT a requirement of being a SUITABLE SO. The tech assessment is a function of being SELECTED and allocated an anticipated course date.
Tech Assessment: In the case of pilots approaching JFO Upgrade in seniority order this will be scheduled approximately 6 months before an anticipated upgrade.