I can guarantee you the 'sparkies' they want to bring in to do our job for chicken feed are not nearly up to the standard that's required to get your A grade license here. Nor do they hold the necessary license, instead they're given one because it suits the powers that brought them here.As for implying that its all cushy in the construction industry, you really don't know anything. Sure we don't usually have to climb in roof spaces but there are things we do on a daily basis where safety is put aside as its not practical to do 'safely'.
The union mentality that you describe barely exists these days. Getting rained off is a rarity as sites are designed so that it doesn't happen. Being heated off is a rarity as it is usually hottest after 4pm, and that clause is pretty much in there because we're forced to work in long sleeves pants gloves glasses and helmets. So when it sits at 34.9 all day, stiff shit, we work in it. Domestic don't get heated off but they do wear whatever they want, shorts singlets no top etc.
And just like the Indians in your industry that you mentioned, the smaller or domestic companies simply CANNOT deliver the projects our companies can, so I'm not sure how us being paid more is any different to you being paid more than inferior companies.