Good old '50s kiwi union rhetoric.
Yes, I'm sure those guys really enjoyed the stress of being laid off, the subsequent months of no pay followed by having to uproot their families and move to the other side of the world in order to keep the wolf from the door. I wonder how many are now glad that it happened - I doubt that many are.
To label people "worthless" because they made a choice of conscience is petulant and childish, and reflects the very worst of our historical union culture. It isn't an easy decision if you have a family.