As far as I know there isn,t any flag carrier in Europe (first world after all) with a different sick pay scheme.
Anyway has been in the contract as it is for a long time. maybe you U.S. boys who joined in the last 1 and a half year should have better read the fine print. To eager to jump from an regional I guess. After all its al about doing your homework isn,t. Shame you dragged your family into it.