It is a problem that countless mature companies have. Contracts and staffing agreements made in the 1980s + 90s and now unsustainable in a totally changed world.
The difference is in how the company deal with the problem and how the staff view the problem. There are numerous facets and, for BA, it has been drawn out over a very long time that has made it more difficult for ALL sides to reach an harmonious agreement. Unfortunately, now, there never will be an harmonious agreement.