Any reprieve in work load next year due to recruitment can not be counted on to continue as long as the productivity stays at 92hrs. To believe anything they say to the contrary would be folly and mean you have not been paying attention for the past decade or so.
The company does what it likes, when it likes. You are but a small cog in the machine that is EK. They care little about your days off, family or health. If the book says its legal, you will be expected to do it. Regardless of how vindictive it may seem. As soon as you understand this the pain numbs just a little.
The Don