No it wasn't. It was about a cost saving sum that was increased every time BASSA came up with that saving. At all times a binding agreement was sought protecting crew T&C's going forward. That was of upmost priority.
BA told
all employee groups what savings were required in advance of the business review, and guaranteed that if agreement was reached in advance of the business review then there'd be no increase in the savings required if the review results were negative. All other employee groups, including those represented by Unite, reached agreements by the required date. BASSA didn't. Their savings target went up. They were warned, they didn't pay heed. Even their offers of savings were nothing of the sort, representing short term loans to BA which weren't even accurately costed.
BA offered a number of binding agreements protecting crew T&Cs and BASSA didn't give their members a vote on any of them.
Why were reps having meetings 'with Willie himself', as quoted from the BALPA forum. Neutral? Not
To thrash out the pilots cost savings. Only BASSA believe there was a 'cloak and dagger' plot led by pilots reps to lead the VCC. You need to revew the outcome of Patel V Unite.
They didn't. Think you'll find this was idle tittle tattle from plane spotters or some members of BASSA.
Encouraged and repeated by BASSA. The average plane spotter isn't stupid enough to make those mistakes.
BASSA members still retain all T&C's. Mixfleet tighter T&C'S to follow - negotiations ongoing.
But BASSA don't have to be asked before BA impose the disruption agreement. And BASSA didn't get the extra Purser back, or remove the CSD from the service. BASSA may no have been crushed, but they are no longer the force they once were. Nowadays their main influence is on what colour bag tag the XXXXers sport.