FRing, Rat5, X-centric, totally agree. We are still in a race to the bottom.
Olearys stated aim is to give tickets away for free (making all the money on the extras) and where is it easiest to cut costs to pay for that? From the T&Cs of the workforce.
The other airlines are following suit, not just because of market forces, but because they have found they can.
BALPA seems powerless/disinterested in taking a stand because it probably hurts their long term political goals whatever they may be, and besides we will only get real action from them when BA T&Cs are threatened. (Veuling?)
Too many union company reps are looking out for their own advancement (happened already in my company) and the pilot work force are just too ready to accept the managements word for it that "times are tough" because they've got school fees, alimony, credit cards and overstretched themselves on mortgages, to stand up to the T&Cs onslaught and need a steady income no matter how low.
I don't see an improving future for pilots in Europe in the next 20 years unless we actually stand up and fight for it.