41.   IG Metall industrial union leaders meet to authorize strike votes,

42.   IG Metall leaders called for the strike vote after employers refused to put forward a concrete wage offer and asked workers for greater flexibility to aid cost-cutting.

43.   If a strike vote is decided on, the union must decide when and in what districts to ballot its members.

44.   It has refused to cease preparations for holding a strike vote in some districts, which could be held next Monday.

45.   Members of another subway union, Aslef, were expected to announce the results of a strike vote on Thursday.

46.   OeTV said it called the strike vote because the allied forces have refused its demands for protection against firing.

47.   Results of the strike vote are expected Wednesday afternoon.

48.   Services union ver.di, which represents retail workers, said it would ask for a strike vote after negotiations stalled in three German regions.

49.   The current contract expires at midnight Tuesday, and if talks break off, a strike authorization vote and a walkout could take place within a few days.

50.   The board of IG Metall was expected to authorize strike votes in several regions after talks with employer representatives collapsed last week.