"If you don't like it, leave."
This is an old refrain and it is simply BS because "Leaving" is not that simple when your skills are specific to your occupation and their are no other employers readily available in Australia.
In addition, way back when, TAA and Ansett had a "gentlemans agreement" that they would not poach each others employees, nor would they offer employment to someone who had left the other. I would think that someone leaving QF as a disgruntled employee would find it rather hard to get a job with
VB.
QF management knows that the "Leave" option is not available and treats you accordingly.
P.S. The removal of the "service desk girls" was predictable because their superior performance and availability was an affront to management.