If it's in the best interest of the company and the shareholders to return ST, they will do so.
I agree. However, at the moment it seems that to be in dispute with BASSA is no real problem, there is no real threat of any IA - the current ballot while it remains active is a paper tiger. If they strike on this ballot they can be sacked as the IA is no longer protected. Another ballot is problematical as it has to be on a separate and unrelated issue, BASSA and UNITE officials have publically included ST and Disciplinary issues as part of the current dispute. They need another issue - one that motivates sufficient BASSA members to strike that the strike has teeth. So far BASSA's strikes have not had enough teeth; BA have not been forced to change their policy one iota, so far the strikes have failed. Why would a new one change that?
For BA, it is a different equation. While the dispute is on they can introduce New Fleet and other working arrangements and BASSA are powerless top stop it, they are not being consulted. BA have not even started to talk about a pay deal, except for the 1000 or so crew who have signed a deal with BA and who are not BASSA members. All the time a pay deal is not negotiated, the pay budget for CC is going down in real terms due to the effect of inflation. It may not be high at the moment but 2-3% of a multi-million budget i not to be sneezed at.
So with no real threat and the pay budget easing and other minor benefits there is little to change BA's position, Return ST? Why? - there is little benefit to BA, even if it will allow a settlement all it will do is allow the malcontents to continue to foment discord, while BASSA will claim a victory that will embolden them and reinvigorate a toothless and increasing marginalised BASSA. Where is the real upside for BA?