As regards the role of unions in this issue - I think that the unions involved in the Q disputes/actions have only themselves to blame for not having support from the general public.
Many perceive the union leaders as more concerned about themselves and their own welfare (and future life in politics), rather than having a genuine concern for the members; and for this you can blame people like MP Craig Williamson (paid for luxury trips, prostitutes, etc on his union credit cards), recently resigned 'rorter' Michael Williamson, who also resigned from senior positions in the labor party (Mr Williamson has resigned as ALP national vice-president and senior vice-president of the NSW ALP branch, the ALP said in a statement), and MP's who were once union leaders but are now continuing to feather their own nests in parliament (list too long to mention). Not to mention previous examples of union bullying and tactics already mentioned in this thread.
If the Q unions had stood up and disassociated themselves from what is perceived by many in the public as "union leaders self-interest", then the Q unions, and their members (and the claims) would be better received by the general public.