LONDON (AP) — Cabin crew at British Airways PLC will be balloted about whether to strike over cost-cutting plans by the airline's management, the Unite union said yesterday.

Unite said it will ask 14,000 of its members to vote on a walkout at a meeting planned for next Monday.

The union has been in talks with management since BA announced it planned to cut 1,700 jobs, freeze pay for current staff and offer lower wages for new employees.

The carrier, which is struggling as the global downturn eats away at demand for air travel, has said it will push ahead with the plans without union consent.

"BA management's determination to impose unacceptable contractual changes on cabin crew leaves us no alternative," said Derek Simpson, the union's joint general secretary. "We will strongly support our members if they vote for industrial action, while of course remaining ready to negotiate with the company."