If you want to know the blueprint for how this dispute at VS will roll, you only have to look at the cabin crew dispute at BA. Not many pilots on this forum had any sympathy for the BA cabin crew, and in fact many BALPA members undermined the cabin crew industrial action.
Now BALPA members at VS are going to be on the receiving end. VS is in a precarious position financially, and quite possible would have gone under if it wasn't for the windfall of BA passengers over the last 12 months. I suspect that Beardy is sticking in a load of his own dosh to keep his 'hobby' airline flying, but if the pilots spoil it for him, then the plug will be pulled.
VS's "Four engines for longhaul" fleet is a handicap. BA for instance reckons its 744's are only economically viable if oil stays under $130 a barrel. Fortunately the trend in oil prices at the moment is down.
VS is in a coffin corner for so many reasons: Such a relatively small point to point operator, in the world of huge alliances cannot survive anyway. A pilot strike will simply expedite its demise, and Beardy will for evermore be able to blame BALPA and its members for causing VS to go tits up.