Messiah
What's been left out is the relationship that existed between the pilot body (ably represented by "video rental club") and CX management.
We numbered about 600 or 700 aircrew (including engineers), we knew each other, we knew the managers, and "negotiations" were carried out in the Cathay Club in the corner, over a few ales.
What hit us in '95 was like a sledgehammer to the side to the head. Complete betrayal, akin to finding your beloved is a transsexual cross dresser(!) or a secret ultimate fighter. Completely out of character, so 180° out we didn't know what to do. I called the AOA for guidance and was told that "most were accepting" the deal. "Be guided accordingly".
With the benefit of hindsight, of course we shouldn't have signed, but put yourself in our shoes for a minute. We were negotiating in good faith, we were patting each other on the back in the corridors, rubbing shoulders in the Marina, trusted and empowered officers of the realm...the real deal.
Then the great betrayal. What would you have done? Really? You'd have done what 682/700 did, and sign...
Rumor has it that our utter collapse was met with incredulity and disbelief and they partied on the 10/F for weeks, the bastards.