SFG I think that BASSA/BALPA are hoping that the mere threat of a strike will help things along a little. Whether this tactic will work or not, remains to be seen.
The idea behind firing a 'single bullet' in terms of combining the pensions issue, EG300 and pay in one ballot is because it's pretty much guaranteed that EVERYONE in BA will have ONE of those issues that they feel passionately about.
For example, if BASSA put a ballot up just for EG300, or JUST for pay, these issues only affect a certain proportion of crew so a ballot would unlikely be successful. But if you heap in both of them issues, and add in the pensions issue as well, whether you are a senior CSD with two years to go before retirement or a new starter that started last year, you have something to gain.
I admit, it is a risky proposition. If we lose, we will lose on all three issues. And to be honest, when it's gonna cost BA £500million per year to maintain the current pension if it is not reformed, perhaps a strike at say a cost to BA of £40M per day will be a more attractive option to them!