maybe I'm missing something, but I can't see what is causing all the vitriol and / or hand-wringing here. (Apart from the fact that there are some very entrenched anti-nigel and anti-ba management opinions here)
Seems to me that BA have threatened to use a new, and thus untested law in a dubious manner, BALPA have got a bit bolshy standing up to it and a judge (probably the only cool head in this argument) has reminded both parties that this will go all the way, take years and cost (probalby 10's of millions, possibly more). Both sides have seen sense and stepped back from the line.
I don't see a victory for anyone here, nor a need to run around panicking that this is the beginning of the end for pilots everywhere.
At some point in the near future case law will be provided by someone on this issue and It will probably result in a situation not alot different from where we are at the moment.
I don't have an axe to grind about BA, or its pilots, but I really don't see what the fuss is.