I can think of a million jobs which go dead quiet in the winter, but the thought of employers forcing their workers to accept a low pay deal is unbearable in most other industries. What a !!!!-hole aviation has become!
You misunderstand.
The SFO's that get promoted will be on 78% of the Captains salary - a significant payrise, NOT a cut!
The only other option, sadly, is for them to stay in the RHS on 100% SFO salary whilst contract captains fly alongside them for the sumer period.
78% is not ideal, but better than nowt!