Just a correction for Galley Hag:
Many of the Contract Longhaul crew have joined the FAAA. This means that they, along with all other LH FAAA members, do NOT have to go to work if a stop work meeting is called during the EBA negotiations.
They ARE Union members and as such they are covered by the same rights and provisions as the rest of the membership, for the term of their employment.
What ever ulterior motives Qantas has for employing people on fixed term contracts, once they join the Union, they are entitled to take protected action - without censure, or discrimination from the company.