Willie Walsh never wanted to 'break' BASSA. He just wanted BASSA and its members to accept changes that have been due for many, many years. Changes that all other departments have made over the past years that BASSA stoically refused to entertain.
As CEO of a FTSE company WIllie Walsh has a legal obligation to the BA sharegholders to explore all avenues to prevent losses to the company through industrial action. As BASSA were the ones who demanded and, indeed, exercised a 'non negotiation' stance, the court action was required if not particularly wanted by the company.
BASSA also used a 'show of hands' to delay the ballots for new council members until the current dispute was over. Looks like Liz and Co will be here for a long time.
BASSA will never get the complements back fully on aircraft, the reason for the original dispute. Neither will they get reinstatement of those dismissed through summary disciplinary proceedings. That is all water under the bridge. Neither will they now have the chance to either stop or influence New Fleet, something they could have had if they were willing to negotiate.
What do BASSA have left to offer their membership? Nothing. More IA? More BFC cakes with Duncan? The company has stated it will fly 100% LH if another strike is called. BA has, through the hard actions of its staff, cut its operating overheads dramatically over the past year, imagine how well we could ALL be doing if ALL departments had the same mentality.
Good bye BASSA, you will not be missed.