I know that this is long ago, but it is part of the roots of todays problems with BASSA/UNITE and the need to ensure that the company is run by its management and not trade unions.
In 1972 the engineering unions at LHR were totally under the control of Trotsy/Marxist leadership, within BEA a small dispute arose in the hangers with early shift, who were called out on strike, when they came on duty, the dayshift came out as well, by 2pm, when the back shift came in, they also went on strike - although the dispute had been resolved and the day shift and morning shift had gone back. When we, the night shift came in, we were told to strike in sympathy, we refused,
On the next few shifts, we were given two reasons why we should go on strike, to show solidarity and to show the 'bosses' that the convenors could call the entire airport out at any time they wished. We still refused.
We then had 13 strike calls (nightshift only), over 11 weeks, each time with meetings called at Barclays at Hatton Cross at 2300 hrs (our shift started at 2230 hrs. There were large union stewards placed in the entrance to the hangers and it was explained to us that if we went in to clock on, we would be blacklisted by the union. BUT the management would be informed that nobody would be allowed to work with any blacklisted individuals, and THEY HAD AGREED with the union that they would dismiss anyone on the blacklist.
So beware, things might be somewhat better today, but the union attitude remains the same of seeking to gain total control. BA has got to win this and cannot possibly afford to back down, and neither can the CC or any other part of BA's workforce allow the union to win.