This isn't about just the pay, its more abut the fear factor and the inability to express concern about safety without the fear of reprisal from the company management.
I would hope the passengers care about safety, since it is ultimately their own skin we are talking about.
Pilots should not be threatened with reprisals for speaking up about something they see as safety related. It is the regulator that decides if it is warranted or not, not the company, and the pilots should not be threatened for bringing their concerns to light.