Brissy sparky, sadly I do think you are right. There a few very powerful unions with a lot of influence in the parliamentary labor party.
I think the vast majority of union people and members are decent folk doing their best, but wear the taint of the power brokers and those who prosper and gain power at the expense of their members.
The conservatives, who are not our friends industrially, will use this to demonise the the entire labor movement and the party who should be fighting with us, not against us.
Ngineer, Q engineers can only hope that your rumour is true. I am certain he is under pressure to cut costs in engineering, that is his brief. If costs are not coming down in the time-frame given they may just find someone else, (again).