BB - incorrect, it was an IFALPA ban. I'd say it stands to reason that it had some sort of effect otherwise the management wouldn't have made lifting it a pre-condition of starting talks.
Like I said, it's not the B all and end all but it's a handy tool and Capt Kremlin is spot on about the effect on the ban breakers at Aer Lingus.
If you leave a half decent job to join an airline under a ban then you should know what you're getting into, it's unpleasant and with so many other jobs out there at the moment I think it'll be quite effective in this case.