Can Unite decide to decline/accept recent offers by the company or do the 'branches' have the final say?
Unite used to be able to have the final say, that is why in 2007(?) when the cabin crew got within a day or so of striking, someone from unite came in (Woodley?) at the last minute, cut a deal with Walsh, and called off the strike.
This has been upsetting the Bassa branch ever since, it is a very sore point.
In fact, Bassa then changed their constitution because of this very issue, so now, once the action is under way, it is only Bassa that can call off this strike, not Unite. Unite just have to grimly support them to the bitter end.
You can bet your bottom dollar if Unite were still able to call off the strike and cut a deal, Tony Woodley would have bitten Mr Walsh's arm off for that first offer on the table. In fact, Woodley would have bitten BF's arm off for that offer back in June that promised no New Fleet.
Mr Walsh has always said he gets on well with Woodley. Despite the bluster and soundbites, Woodley is no fool, that is why he called off the last strike, he knows when he's on to a looser. Trouble is, he can't this time.
All this is why Mr Walsh wants to deal with Unite direct, rather than the local branch (Bassa) which is the root of a lot of the problems (for both sides!) because it has become way too personal now. It's Lizanne, the kitchen fitter and 'the Pink Jacketed Militant' vs Walsh at the moment. (except Mr Walsh doesn't see it like that, he is just happy running an airline that is getting away more and more flights, with almost 70-80% of crew breaking the strike at the last count)