31.   A prolonged strike could slow Christmas shipments and stifle economic growth.

32.   About half the funding for new films comes from distributors, and a prolonged strike could shut off that major source of investment, he said.

33.   Both sides have acknowledged that a prolonged strike could be devastating.

34.   But a prolonged strike could delay the start of fall shipments for the peak consumption period beginning in October.

35.   Few thought the engineers and technical workers union, known as SPEEA, had the backbone for a walkout, let alone a prolonged strike.

36.   Few thought the Society for Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace had the backbone for a walkout, let alone a prolonged strike.

37.   General Motors Canada is the biggest manufacturer in Canada, and economists say a prolonged strike would have a marked effect on the national economy.

38.   Government officials worried that the prolonged Daewoo strike would negatively impact a planned sale of another ailing auto firm, Samsung Motors Inc., to French carmaker Renault SA.

39.   If there is a prolonged strike, vessels would stay on the West Coast.

40.   It also was uncertain whether the confederation has enough support to stage another prolonged strike.