[Greg McDonald]

From the Australian:

A PARALYSING strike grounding aircraft across the country is now more likely following the collapse of negotiations between air traffic controllers and their government employer.
The increasingly bitter dispute is spiralling out of control, with the air traffic controllers' union Civil Air this week calling on its members to approve industrial action, reports The Australian.

Its dramatic call follows the failure on Tuesday to resolve an eight-month impasse in negotiations with the air traffic control employer Airservices over a new three-year deal on pay and conditions.

The negotiations come at a time when a shortage of air traffic controllers is already causing disruption to flights and is forcing some pilots to fly through uncontrolled airspace.

The prospect of industrial action has strengthened after the Australian Industrial Relations Commission approved a protected-action ballot for Civil Air members.

If a majority of union members vote in favour of industrial action when the ballot closes on February 11, then rolling stoppages and other forms of strike action could take place from February 21.

Industrial action would close down the nation's airports for hours or days on end, causing havoc for travellers across the country and overseas.

Civil Air executive secretary Peter McGuane said the union was "vigorously trying to avoid this scenario".

In a note to members, he called on air traffic controllers to approve the option of industrial action as a way to "focus Airservices on a more reasonable position in bargaining".

The two parties will meet again on February 3 in what many see as the last chance for a resolution before a strike