There is a perverse logic to Unite delaying announcing strike dates. Skipping any legal issues, by holding off until the last possible date - i.e. Friday 11/2/2011, they can bring the whole of the Easter period and the Royal wedding within the 12 week 'protected' period for action. Now of course it then depends on what BA's response is. Unite could be desperately trying to bet the farm on a pair of deuces, hoping that BA holds nothing better. The suggestion that BA has been in contact with the ERS over the ballot figures indicates that all may not be well with Unite's membership records. Unite, according to press reports, seem rattled by the implication that they may have, once again, included people who were not entitled to vote in the ballot. It won't do their credibility much good.
The elephant in the room is whether strike action this time around would be afforded protected status. This may present cabin crew with a dilemma. They have three options, go on strike, report for work or go sick. The last option may not be a particularly good one given BA's previous action on those who threw a sickie. Looking at the letters from BA to Unite on the topic, it sounds like somewhere in the region of 300 WW cabin crew decided that calling in sick was better than going on strike. What those contemplating strike action need to bear in mind is that BA may decide that any strike is a continuation of the previous action and sack staff. Those dismissed would then need to go to a tribunal for unfair dismissal, but even at the end of that, BA is not obliged to re-employ them, just oay them some compensation. The management may reckon the price worth paying if it then removes a militant group from an otherwise reasonable community.
The talk of guerilla tactics is pure hokum. In fact is is worse than that, it could put cabin crew who follow such tactics in danger of losing their jobs for failing to work normally. It is sad some 5000 cabin crew choose to believe the word of a union that has no experience of running an airline over that of the management. It reflects poorly on both management and union and will end in tears.