Why the surprise ?
The surprise is because Bassa/Unite assumed that BA would back down again like it has under every other CEO, but surely they must realise that Willie now has the support of the city and all the weight that that amounts to and has a clear instruction to sort this out once and for all.
Bassa/Unite have long ago ceased to properly represent their members( if they have any left) and surely this is now a face saving exercise which will leave intelligent cabin crew begging belief at how they have been suckered by those elected to defend them.
I think and hope that any more picket lines will be a very lonely place to be.