The problem Wiggy that BA's cabin crew had were the decisions of two judges, who annulled ballots and granted BA injunctions, the first time because the judge was using arguments outside of her remit, and the second time the judge considered it so grave that BASSA had not informed the whole membership of 11 spoilt ballot papers.
It is something to consider amongst those who are calling for a NO vote now. BA will use every legal means to thwart strike action and overturn a democratic ballot via the 'Establishment'. Judges will never favour workers who wish to disrupt commerce. Today in every day parlance, this sort of managment action is now known as "British Airways tactics"
During the cabin crew dispute it was clear that sympathetic BALPA reps were prepared to marshall their members to act as strike breakers. Although other groups of BA workers followed suite, it was the authority and leadership of BA's pilots in being at the vanguard of undermining BASSA's plans, that encouraged the VCC programme. Now BA's flight crew are on the receiving end and in a terrible quandary.
BALPA will be placed in an invidious position if Walsh's deal is rejected. It naturally goes against the instincts of its members to 'kick over the traces', who thought by cosying up to Walsh they would garner a halo protection from a fellow aviator and ex-union negotiator. The treatment of BA's cabin crew in having their staff travel taken away, and many strikers dismissed including the Branch Secretary of BASSA, was a shop window for all BA employees of what sanctions would be meted out if they fall out of line.
Walsh has calculated that the BMI takeover is an opportunity not to be missed. I suggest that if anyone is in doubt where Walsh is going and why he was protected over the T5 opening debacle, you need to study his 'Triple A' plan. In this paper his concept of a global premium airline with a low cost base is spelt out.
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q...8y6UZoreZJkQMg