This dispute is not about pit working, it is about redistribution of wealth. Do you need to pay a crew member any more than what the new hat wearing crew are on? Do you need a Mercedes or a Mondeo in the cabin? Only time will tell if BA will loose or gain customers because of its cabin crew.
The market has changed considerably over the past 15 years and the advent of low cost airlines has slashed margins on short haul flights.
BA undoubtedly needed to do something about the cost of crewing the cabin, but at the same time the company has taken a lot of cost out of the product, to the extent that business class shorthaul is not worth buying as a standalone product and longhaul is rather 'cheaper' than it was some years ago, although the seat is still up amongst the best.
In short, I believe that BA needs to improve the customer experience and this involves both the product and those delivering.
So, it is important to move on and find a solution that is acceptable to all, in or out of a union and at all the bases.
Only then will BA be able to start to polish up the brand, which is still strong, but tarnished - especially outside the UK.