Captthunder,
The point is you are muddying the waters by stating that the SO contract is flexicrew when in reality it is not, it is a permanent, fully employed grade.
Many of us fought long and hard to make all but the first 12 month probationary period permanent positions, so expect flack when you incorrectly publicise those permanent emmployee positions as flexicrew contractor roles.
Goalposts have not been moved, they were never there in the first place. Nobody knew where in the scale easyJet were going to attempt to insert DEPs. It appears, anecdotally, that it is at the 12 month contractor stage. According to your position you may describe this as anything ranging from unsurprising to insulting, but the ball is now in the candidate's court.
Personally I hope you all reject it. Keeps the T&Cs up and it will encourage them to come back and offer something better.