However am told the union folded quickly with an idle threat from the little fella that the 787 would go elsewhere if the agreed to, and FWA ratified, contract for the crew rest was not amended in Qantas' favour..The union didn't challenge, just folded.
You are wrong.
The union did not fold, nothing of the sort. The union negotiated for months to achieve an outcome that enshrines multiple fatigue mitigating rule sets, from maximum flight times, increased minimum based turnaround, home transport provisions and a premium seat in the cabin on most sectors on top of the overhead crew rest and HICAS seat.