So it isn't that BASSA COULDNT (your word) call a strike ballot - but Tony Woodley took the decision to DEFER the announcement as he thinks he is close to a deal.
BASSA were going to announce a ballot today. They were prevented from doing so by Tony Woodley. Call it defer if you like but that is fact.
Tony Woodley has been negotiating over BASSAs heads and believes he is close to a deal. He hasn't even informed the branch what this deal may be. The chances of him un-deferring any ballot when he believes he has a deal vary from slim to none.
He and BA have given up on BASSA however the believers try and spin it.