I think this will go down as one of WW's greatest moments.
The fact that these are hard times for the airline business could actually mean that the impact of a long drawn strike now will be less costly to the Company in pure cash terms than in a boom period, where the value of the cancelled tickets (refunds) would be greater due to the higher yields.
It is analogous to when you are removing a band-aid, you can either try to tease it off and suffer, or else give it one mighty tug and get on with it!
It seems that BASSA have painted themselves in to an untenable position. If they go ahead with strike they will lose any remaining public support which will give the Board, backed by an enraged travelling public and a media who will happily fan the flames, unprecedented power to sever BASSA at its roots.
The positions in the economy cabins will be gladly filled by the hundreds of cabin crew who have been working at Low Cost airlines who would probably see an increment in conditions and pay with a new contract offered by BA even if it would be a fraction of the current package. Besides the glamour of working with Big Airways they can aspire to new "perks" such as layovers and upgrading to the premium cabins which was not an option with the Ryanairs of this world.
The vacancy in the premium cabin can be quickly filled by European staff who are currently working with the Middle Eastern airlines and are probably looking for a job back home after the average three year stint as an expat cabin crew in those airlines. These cabin crew are highly trained in safety, service and usually have impeccable grooming. The added benefit is that their average age will also be much less than the current BA Staff servicing the Premium Cabins.
No one likes to see a category of colleagues ground down to crumbs but, alas, I think WW will be making the shareholders very happy this Chistmas!