Remoak you are absolutely wrong in your increasingly strident assertion that BACON guys have no bargaining power.
Under TUPE and a raft of associated employment law any CONTRACTUAL term has to be honoured by a purchasing company subject to various provisos.
In simple terms that means that the majority of our existing contractual terms and conditions apply unless and until we agree otherwise.
Integration cannot take place unless and until WE AGREE on a new set of terms and conditions to replace our existing.
Now if Jim French does not like our failure to agree whatever he demands of us and walks away from the deal (if he can) then that is another matter..............
In simple terms he is hoping that the pressure of anticipation of a P45 from BA if this falls over will make us compliant and accept whatever he tells us.............Actualy I think he knows exactly the score, which is that sound compromises will have to be made to achieve acceptable middle ground all round.
Thats how it is.
If you donrt believe me ask your Balpa PN or any employment lawyer.