That comparision usually comes up when the BA propaganda machine starts labelling pilots as expensive whingers who are only concerned about their cheeseboard. If you want to look closer to home you'd find the BA package on long haul was also considerably less than in KLM, Air France and Lufthansa. The comparison is drawn because BA long haul is competing in a global market, not a domestic one, so its no use complaining your people are too expensive when your competitors people are even more so. BA pilots dont expect to earn the astonishing amounts some of the Americans do, but they do expect to earn comparable rates to our European competitors (who incidentally fly fewer hours and have more days off than us).
In terms of short haul, the BA package must currently be one of the least attractive of any large airline in Europe. I really don't see why anyone would want to live in London on a basic of £32K and wait 7 years for a command when you could earn much more much sooner in an affordable location with any of the low costs.