I suspect that the final deal offered is likely to be the same as that put forward in June, but with a couple of variations. Firstly, the company will push for monthly payments to replace allowances. Second, staff travel to be returned but with seniority only applicable after probably April 1st 2011 and conditional on no further IA for 2 years. Should an individual default, it will be removed in total, never to return.
I think this is more a hope that a likelihood. There is nothing in it for UNITE, there is absolutely nothing in it for BASSA. UNITE will have very big issues to deal with after 20 October, the last thing they need is to go into the near future having suffered a humiliating defeat. It matters not how they spin it, such a settlement would be widely recognised as a BIG defeat, and it would embolden the bosses who will be negotiating with UNITE in the near future. UNITE need to clear the decks but not at any cost.