You can't fly long range without heavy crews, unless willy thinks he can change the flight time limitations too.
Yes he can. CAP371 is a guidance document only. If WW can submit an amendment to the CAA which increases the hours but proves that it will not lead to fatigue then he will get it.
Like many others who have responded to this thread, I am not a BA pilot. However, I sincerely hope that this issue is resolved to everyones satisfaction. If it is not and the value of employees pensions is eroded then it will set a very strong precedent for my (and many others) employer to start looking closely at the way company pensions are funded.