Trade union Unite is poised to announce details of a fresh ballot of British Airways cabin crew, with voting to begin before the end of February and run through most of March.
The timing means a ‘yes’ vote for action will see industrial strife return to BA in time for the Easter holiday.
However, it is understood union leaders will avoid sanctioning a strike around the weekend of the royal wedding at the end of April.
The union is also believed to be considering a work to rule by cabin crew rather than fresh strikes, following the recent example of Aer Lingus staff.
Unite abandoned plans for action based on an earlier ballot last week after BA made an official complaint, arguing the vote breached legal rules.
The union accuses BA of a “breach of agreements” and “policies of industrial intimidation” and said last week the airline showed “no interest” in trying to reach a settlement.
BA has admitted it prepared for a lengthy struggle with the union. The carrier’s general manager for regulatory and political affairs, Jim Forster, said: “We knew this was going to be a long, drawn out affair.”
The airline believes it can maintain a full long-haul service to and from Heathrow through any future action by cabin crew.