Warlock2000, have you ever worked a contract job, or have you always been in 'semi permanent' employment?
Eight years ago I was on a contract in your neck of the woods making $8500 US per month tax free, HOTAC inc., Transport inc., Business Class BA to and from the point of employment.
Oh...by the way...it wasn't an A340.
It wasn't even a heavy.
In fact...hell...it wasn't even a jet!
I think cost of living etc have increased somewhat in the last eight years. 12K for an A340 skipper sounds like a bargain by comparison, doesn't it. Maybe you're selling us all short mate.
Peligroso, your permanent job is worth the pay cut, innit? I mean, you get to be (gasp) an EK driver!!!
If you don't like the terms you could always leave and go freelance.
Or form a union and demand a pay rise.
While your management can read this thread and see how you EK boys are so happy, and how you continue to encourage throngs of wannabes to jump on the bandwagon, why on gods earth would they ever improve your terms voluntarily??? Absolutely no need!