I think it's no more than a repeat case of inept management being once again led down a path by industrial relations consultants and consulting law firms. More turmoil simply guarantees that the river of money to the consultants continues to flow unabated.
The 2011 shutdown proved nothing, except the gullibility of management in a harebrained plan that cost shareholders some $200m and trashed the brand. It was meant to be some watershed moment in industrial relation reform in this country, but was a complete fizzer. The longhaul pilots even got backpay out of it. Somehow (again proving the ineptness of management), the industrial consultants and law firms continue to offer their advice and continue to guide the company into industrial turmoil. All the time, management and the board stand behind nodding their heads at the "strong stance" taken against the unions, completely oblivious to how much they are being taken for a ride.