Insomniac,
Basically Remoak has a valid point. It is a question of supply and demand in the end. However it is the union`s task to take some sort of control over this mechanism through solid CLA clauses.
This way you can control both the supply side (furlough/firing regulations etc.) and the demand side (scope clauses).
The fact that our profession is something to be proud of and something the employer should recognise as essential is an entirely other matter and (sadly) has almost nothing to do with our terms and conditions.