Desperate indeed!!
My friend, who is an CA at Emirates, was just offered 2 extra Vacation Days if he would do a trip leaving tomorrow morning. He said "NO". Was told by scheduler "Thank you. I understand. I will call next pilot". CLICK.
Things will only change there at EK if pilots make things change. Best way to do that is by making airplanes park, management pilots work or flight cancel. Better still all of the above.