If these new practices are dangerous or not in accordance with international regulations then should not the pilots
a) take it up with the IAA in the first instance and if (when ?) the IAA response is considered inadequate
b) take the problem to JAA/ICAO ?
If safety is being compromised due to lack of a proper regulatory environment, then I believe that those professionals competent to make such a judgement have an obligation to raise this issue at whatever level it can be addressed.
Getting into another management vs staff dispute won't solve the core problem - lack of proper safety regulation.
I guess this post also applies to the current Ryanair thread.