OK Romans why not look at this from a slightly different angle.
Assume BA did NOT ask the union to implement the DA. They have just gone and unilaterally used the crews to the limits of their duty hours whenever necessary without the union being involved.
If this has been the case why have we not heard the union screaming from the rooftops that BA never asked us. If only they would have come to us first we would have gladly invoked the DA for the good of the customers!
Instead we only hear from BASSA that BA are doing as they please and they are powerless...
I agree it is dangerous to assume hearsay is fact, but it does seem pretty farfetched to assume BA would NOT have asked to implement an agreement designed entirely to cope with the situation it finds itself in!