VB pilots just took advantage of favourable market conditions. If you think favourable market conditions are never going to return then you need to go and read a few books every other cyclical industry in the world. The challenge is to try and have the EBA negotiations coincide with the favourable market conditions.
VB pilots hit the jackpot last time, only time will tell if it will happen again. One thing is certain, the pilot shortage that all too briefly finally arrived, will come again, but next time it will be worse.
If you think VA and
VB F/O's aren't going to start resigning again in droves sometime in the future then you do not understand human nature. There will always be another Emirates or Cathay enticing frustrated and ambitious pilots to far parts of the earth in search of the elusive big jet command and bucket of gold. Human nature and the 'grass is greener' syndrome will always make it so. Next time i would guess it will probably somewhere in China.
So if once again the market turns in our favour and the timing is right, then conditions will probably improve, regardless of whether it is VIPA or the AFAP negotiating. If the market stays as it is, or gets worse, then conditions will get worse. It is as simple as that.