Organ Grinder's Monkey
Joyce is merely the monkey in this scenario.Clifford is the organ grinder calling the shots.The reason(and its been said before)Joyce got the big gig is because he is compliant and grateful.When this is all over he goes back home with a bucket full of loot and away from the ire of the Australian population and Qantas employees.
Dixon,Clifford and Oldmeadow play a very long game.Even if they leave or curl up their toes the game is in embedded into corporate DNA.Indifferent government and a media made compliant by advertising dollars all contribute to the perpetuation of the grand plan.The current negotiations are a minor nuisance to these Machiavellian morons