"Unite the union... today (Monday) announced that the ballot of its cabin crew members at British Airways has resulted in another overwhelming vote for strike action in the long-running dispute over imposed changes to crew numbers and working practices," the union said in a statement.

Unite held a second ballot of BA cabin crew members after the High Court ruled in December against a strike that was planned for the busy Christmas and New Year period.

A total of 9271 cabin crew voted with 80.7 percent in favour of strike action, according to Unite, which added that no dates for the action have yet been chosen.

A strike can be held within 28 days but media reported that the busy two-week period over Easter ? when schools are on holiday in Britain ? has been ruled out.

BA, which has forecast a record loss in its current financial year, says it wants to review the working conditions of its cabin crew, who are paid more than their counterparts at other airlines.

Unite is protesting at BA's imposed contractual changes that include fewer cabin crew on flights, a pay freeze and different working conditions for new members of staff.

"With this overwhelming vote in the teeth of BA harassment and media misrepresentation, BA's cabin crew have made clear that the deep sense of grievance they feel about their treatment by their employer remains," said Unite assistant general secretary Len McCluskey.

"Our members are not mindless militants but men and women committed to their company and their profession, so it is right that they want to be consulted on changes to their jobs."

Unite will not "ruin this company"

In response, BA described the ballot result as "very disappointing" and slammed Unite for what it described as a "completely unjustified" threat of industrial action.

The airline warned: "We will not allow Unite to ruin this company. Should a strike take place, we will do everything we can to protect our customers' travel plans as far as possible.

"In the meantime, we continue to run our business and our flights are operating as normal."

Earlier this month, BA said it expected to make a record annual loss due to weak demand ? and despite sharp cost-cutting measures.

BA made the admission in a third-quarter results statement which also revealed that pre-tax losses stood at a better-than-expected #50-million in the three months to December.

BA, which is attempting to merge with Iberia of Spain, announced in October it was cutting 1700 cabin crew positions and introducing a two-year pay freeze on staff as part of moves to fly the airline back to profitability.

Editor's note: the proposed strike action will only affect international services on British Airways, and not domestic/regional flights operated by local franchisee BA/Comair, which is a separate company.