The change to the overtime t/hold is significant because it allowed the company to roster well into what would have been an expensive additional cost without it costing more than a few hours flying pay -they knew the extra hours would be required, so elected to save themselves 9by rough estimate) 5 million dhs/month.
That has become the new norm and will NEVER change.
The kicker is that the 'new norm', especially on the 330 fleet, is back-breaking. Flying at that rate for a couple of months at a time is doable, even if there is not overtime, but as a regular monthly pattern is not.
It won't change though: the benefits are double -no overtime AND reduced pilot numbers required.
Cabin crew have it even worse - 140 hours is not uncommon and they get NO overtime.