Interesting times ahead for BA then.
Its a real shame its come to this, and I put it down to bad management. The need for BA to compete and modernise has been blindingly obvious to every one for quite some time. The management have taken notice of this and have decided to do something about it. What is unfortunate is how they have gone about it, panicking they have resorted to bullying and dismissals as a way to cut costs. They have totally demoralised the very people they rely on to give good service to the passengers.
One must ask why? and its because they are easy targets. In the airline I work for one of the senior management was heard to say "If they don't like it they can leave, there's plenty more where they came from!" And that is why BA cc feel the only way to make management listen to them and treat them like assets to the business again is to go on strike.
Good management would acknowledge the need to modernise and compete, and would address this by motivating the workforce and making them feel part of the team. And after instilling a sence of camaraderie and "we are all in it together" you can start to make the changes that are so badly needed in BA . By taking the workforce with you the company can survive and make a future for its self. Unfortunately management of this calibre is badly lacking in BA , and the end result is there for all to see.