11.   Both sides say they want to avoid a strike that could trigger a walkout by the Screen Actors Guild as well.

12.   A half-dozen union workers interviewed in hotels Thursday said that they were optimistic a strike would be avoided.

13.   Both sides say they hope to avoid a strike.

14.   By that time, though, it was too late to avoid a strike.

15.   Especially when crime bosses realized the vast power to be had by controlling large labor unions.Firms could be forced to pay bribes in order to avoid crippling strikes.

16.   GM still hopes to avoid a strike by successfully negotiating a new contract this fall with the United Auto Workers, Smith said.

17.   Gayssot noted that Danish strikers last year blockaded ports and that Italy just reached an agreement with its truckers, avoiding a strike planned there for this week.

18.   General Motors Corp. and the United Auto Workers today continued contract negotiations aimed at avoiding a strike tomorrow morning at a Fort Wayne, Indiana, pickup truck plant.

19.   General Motors would have to reverse their position on key issues, such as preserving jobs, to avoid a strike, he said.

20.   GM hopes to avoid a strike by successfully negotiating a new contract this summer with the United Auto Workers, Smith said.