EBA 4 is dead?
I hardly think so.
1/. J* have a requirement to crew widebodies ex Singapore.
2/. J* are offering current J* Oz staff the opportunity to bid for that work based on seniority and T&Cs to be advised for a 2 year period while maintaining their Oz basing and seniority as per EBA 4. Capt/FO A from Sydney can decide it might be fun to go and fly wide bodies for a couple of years in Singapore and see what its like - and if they don't like, or even if they do but don't want to continue, they can come home to their old position and basing.
3/. Clearly as Capt/FO A's temporary departure has created a vacancy in Sydney, or wherever, that needs to be filled. Capt/FO B, say a BNE based pilot, can bid on seniority to fill that vacancy for a 2 year period. Theoretically an FO might get 2 years command flying.
4/. If no one employed on EBA 4 bids for that position it goes out to any employee of the J* family of companies - a J* NZ, J* Asia or J* VN pilot could bid for it but not on seniority because those operations don't have seniority - let alone seniority within J* Oz. Capt/FO C in AKL/SIN/SGN could get a Oz basing for 2 years
5/. Any new pilot joining J* Oz is employed under EBA 4.
6/. Some pilots who joined J* Oz were offered a seniority number and 2 years unpaid leave to go and work for J* Other on whatever T&Cs applied to the specific 'other' and when they come back they get the base/seat their seniority buys them. Pilots directly employed by J* other don't have seniority in J* Oz - can it be any other way?
7/. If, at the end of 2 years, Capt/FO A returns to his base/seat then Capt/FO B or C returns to his base/seat.
Capt/FO A, B or C are not forced to do anything. This whole setup is J* management following the letter of EBA 4 by offering J* Oz pilots an opportunity to experience something they otherwise wouldn't at absolutely no risk to themselves.
J* Oz managements only mistake?
Underestimating the true extent, in the wider pilot community generally and AIPA specifically, of 'dumb as a box of rocks'.