Ham Phisted. TRM's at BA are currently in fear of losing their jobs. In fact most employee groups in BA who were VCC's could see their jobs outsourced in the future. There won't be any tears shed by BASSA members. The VCC's proved during the dispute they were surplus to requirements. Their departments were still making their targets whilst they were serving drinks.
What I find remarkable at the moment is the lack of vision by BALPA and posters here, who cannot see beyond the end of their noses. The BMI takeover is the begininng of an avalanche of change. Do BA's pilots seriously believe that Walsh will not start a JetStar type operation as well, when he gets access to enough slots? In fact it was only talks between QANTAS and BA being exposed on Crikey.com back in 2008, which generated the predictable Ozzie backlash, that kiboshed the merger. JetStar is now expanding into Japan with BA and QANTAS interests overlapping. Walsh wants a bit more action in that region as well via JAL.
BA's flight crew scoff at the cabin crew dispute, as if the setting up of Mixed Fleet was a defeat. What is conveniently overlooked is that BA's assault on the UK's largest union branch was simply union busting. At no time before the dispute were there friendly relations between Walsh and BASSA's leadership. No doubt the feeling was mutual, as the cabin crew were well aware why Walsh had been brought into the company, and protected from taking responsibility for the T5 opening shambles. Two long serving directors carried the can for that, and have since never talked about their humiliation.
There is nothing BALPA or its members can do to prevent BA starting a low cost operation, all that is left is to adopt a 'Laager' type defence and protect as best you can, the T&C's of legacy crew until they eventually leave. Wirblesturm may point out all he likes how the legacy cabin crew will "wither on the vine", but that is exactly where the pilots are now.
It is kind of Walsh to give the pilots the impression, that the way they vote will make any difference where he intends to go with them. It is purely a psychological exercise to appeal to their sense of hubris. The truth is that BALPA and its BA members are on the back foot now, and there are many of us who are quite enjoying the spectacle.