Not as simple as it sounds Hugh.
John Howard's workplace laws are still in place. If everyone unilaterally chose not to work on their days off, then that would be OK. The problem is that even though overtime is not compulsory, anyone, or any organisation that in any way requests, directs or otherwise, any employee not to do overtime, then that is deemed illegal indistrial action! Big fines, lots of hassel!
I'm convinced that if people were asked in the proper manner, they would probably all pull together. In the absence of such a process, most REX pilots who are inclined to work on their days off more than likely feel that "If I don't do it, someone else will". This is especially relevant when you consider the appallingly low salaries of the most junior F/O's. And frankly it's difficult to blame them.
For the record, I do not work on my days off. Mainly because I have come to realise that time with my family is far and away more important than the small financial gain (especially after tax) that I may get.
It's starting to bite however. More REX pilots are now refusing, especially on the weekends. When you consider they only recieve one off every roster, then it becomes all the more important to them. REX are now seriously undercrewed on most weekends. The average number of uncrewed sectors during these days is around 40!
I have heard that the REXPC will be initiating legal industrial action because the company has not acted in good faith during the now failed EBA process. I can only assume that some sort of ban on overtime may result from this process.
Whatever happens though, the company is only manageing to avoid substantial cancellations due to the work by pilots on their RDO's. This situation will only get worse as more REX crews see the light. With luck it may just focus the board's attention to just how valuable their pilots are.
Although, I won't be holding my breath!