That, to me, raises the question of whether the gains that Trade Unions have obtained for workers are really sustainable in the long term, or whether the extra labour costs will simply put those firms out of business and lead to a “race to the bottom” as everyone else cuts costs to the bone.

Isn’t this the “immiseration of the proletariat” that Marxists go on about, and if so what can be done about it?

It seems to me that a similar argument applies to public sector workers who, although their employers are not subject to direct competition, are constantly told that the benefits that their unions have won for them are “unaffordable” and need to be cut back (which is why PCS are striking on Wednesday against cuts to the Civil Service redundancy package).

Fair play. You are actually putting some decent questions to him:

“WS: Some people are saying that the industrial action could destroy British Airways. Do you agree?”

Shame you let him get away with a bollox answer to your question though. After reading the answer to your question I couldn’t make it any further, because I assume it will be just reams more bull-shit.