Leverage.
That is the key in negotiations. Whoever is on the pilots side of the table need to use the pilot shortage astheir bargaining chip. JQ and DJ are both having difficulty finding experienced jet qualified crew. Both airlines are also having problems of getting to the bottom of the seniority list looking for command suitable upgrade candidates. With all these new aircraft on order the situation will become more acute.
Terms and conditions will go up direct proportion to the needs of the airlines to crew these planes, since their only option is to attract typed and qualified Aussie crew from overseas - CASA will only allow a small percentage of command upgrades at minimum hours. Then it's park plane time and canx flights. EK (Emirates have been parking 777's due to lack of crew) they then put the money up to try and attract more people - but not enough to meet their crew requirements. The same will happen here, just a matter of time.
Many expat aussies are just waiting for an improvement in T's and C's. The EBA team can use this opportunity to expidite the process.
It will happen - but of course the sooner the better.