What I can't get my head around is why Unite apparently broke an agreement not to announce the strike dates before a revised offer was put to the membership. This smacks at worst of double-dealing, and at best of in-fighting/communication problems within the union. Given that there seem to be two head honchos, the latter is the more likely.

On the subject of perks, isn't there always the chance that a court would regard them as part of Ts&Cs on the basis of custom and practice?