Good luck with that QFI,
I think you will find that in reality there will be no blood letting on either side. Some may consider a victory for one or the other however no one will 'fall on their sword'.
A friend who was highly successful in private enterprise once said to me 'directors have managers to carry out the directions the company requires to move with'. You guys are dealing with the managers a tier or two below these managers who are being directed what to do, and they in turn will not budge from their directions due to the tier they reside on.
More importantly in a company like Qantas the lower level managers who are negotiating (for want of a better term) have been awarded their roles in the management structure for their ability to tow the company line and their ability to curtail to their superiors every beck and call. A manager at this level in Qantas would sign their own death warrant if they should ever express their own opinions regarding relevant issues that would be contrary to the company line, be it for the betterment of the company or not.
Unfortunately the mangement in this industry has been in this situation for a long time now so no matter what the rank and file expect would happen with them is more than likely not going to.
This EBA looks like turning into a debacle to match the previous one however the management you are dealing with is only doing what they are told. The problem is they believe it. they do not comprehend they are merely pawns in the grander scheme of things, just like they secretly think you minions are.
GB