It would seem that BASSA and co think that by continually holding ballots they can erode confidence in BA's ability to operate a flying programme. They seem to forget that
a) the longer this dispute drags on, the more disenchanted their membership will become and the lower the pro-IA vote will drop.
b) whilst it is unlikely that the union will ever get to the point where the pro-IA vote will lose out to the anti-IA vote, either by virtue of the number of non-voters, or the dwindling membership, the branch runs the real risk that it could be derecognised.
c) the longer it continues, the longer BA has to introduce yet more change on a unilateral basis, because of the union's refusal to enter negotiations
d) balloting costs money and impacts the branch/union credibility if it is not followed through.
Net result, the membership get royally hacked off with them and Unite's influence in this area is severely undermined.

Turning to the customer side of the recent pronouncements, the basic problem with this whole approach is the 'cry wolf' syndrome. Already this dispute is slipping from the media interest. When there is a spotlight on it, the focus is on the lack of ability shown by Unite in their handling of it, rather then negative press for BA. Running yet more ballots, but failing to work on them diminishes their effectiveness in seeking to hit BA's revenue.

Any potential customers who were concerned prior to the latest fiasco have learned two key things. Firstly, the number of cabin crew who appear to support industrial action is below 50% of the workforce. Secondly, the union seems incapable of conducting a ballot, so the likelihood of industrial action in any case is reduced. So if the union announce a further ballot, the probability is that the support will be reduced still further. Moeover, as the union appears to favour tactics that indicate that strikes may not materialise even if they do get a mandate, what is going to deter customers from booking BA ?

I'm not suggesting that the dispute is finally at an end, but I would suggest that the fat lady is warming up her larynx