LONDON (Bloomberg) — British Airways Plc, Europe’s third- biggest airline, may face a strike by cabin crew after the Transport & General Workers Union called for members to vote on a walkout to protest new work rules and sick-leave policy.Balloting will be conducted on December 21 to January 12, with the key issues relating to “the imposition of practices without negotiation,” the union said at the weekend in an e-mailed statement.

“Members have been angered by the management of sickness absence, which is putting cabin crew under pressure to turn up for work even when unwell,” the union said.

British Airways has faced a series of disruptions affecting earnings.

Last year, a labour dispute at catering supplier Gate Gourmet triggered a two-day strike and the July 7, 2005, bombings on London’s transport system reduced tourism into the UK.

A terror alert in August prompted increased security checks that caused congestion, particularly at British Airways’ London Heathrow airport hub.

Fiscal second-quarter profit fell because of the cost of flight delays and lower demand following the crisis.

Last week, unions said British Airways was conducting “constructive” talks with them about solving a pension deficit.