1.   But unions would be effectively debarred from holding a strike ballot in support of workers already sacked for taking part in unofficial strikes.

2.   The union also voted for a further strike ballot on the new contracts.

3.   The union is going to hold a strike ballot.

4.   The unions are already holding a strike ballot because they fear compulsory redundancies.

5.   Because there are no unions here staff have not been involved in the strike ballot which has been held at the other four British plants.

6.   Angered by stalled contract talks, the union scheduled a meeting Thursday at which time directors are expected to authorize a strike ballot.

7.   Bavaria state district union chief, Werner Neugebauer, said in a ZDF television interview that his district expected to start a strike ballot by next Monday or Tuesday.

8.   British Airways also threatened a legal challenge over the way the strike ballot was taken last month.

9.   Failing agreement, the union was sticking to its plan to hold a strike ballot next Monday.