Yes shorthaul should/could be more productive.
Average Shorthaul crew member flies an average of 600 - 680 hrs pa.
Average longhaul crew member 880.
I don't thinkwe should be paid any less. I don't know any other job where your t and c and take home pay decrease every few years.
I also believe that if this does go through the pilots will be next. Why pay the higher end of the industry standard.
99 % of UK carriers have well trained high calibre pilots. And most of those would like to earn BA pilot salaries. Esp if they are young and would have the op to reach the higher end of the BA Capt scales.
But at the end of the day I don't think and dept in BA is currently safe.