LH isn't doing very well lately and has been reducing capacity & aircraft (
read here) and their pilots' position on the LH Italy issue is totally understandable.
Maybe the 6 aircraft now based in MXP are not flying LH mainline routes, but who can say they won't do it in the near future?
We have witnessed lots of similar examples in the past of the aviation industry.
While I feel sorry for those unemployed who hope for a job in LH Italy I am however 100% with the LH mainline guys who are doing everything they can to protect their own pilots first before setting up a new company and hiring people from outside the airline who would jump the seniority lists and accept lower T&C's.