MANAMA: Gulf Air employees were yesterday urged to take part in a strike on Thursday in protest over the company's "hard-line policies".

"All preparations are in full swing to send a clear message signalling our rejection of the company's unilateral and arbitrary decisions," Gulf Air trade union media spokesman Sadiq Rabea said yesterday.

The escalation follows the airline's refusal to reduce work timing by half an hour and reconsider social allowances.

The General Federation of Bahrain Trade Unions yesterday met Gulf Air officials in a last-ditch attempt to overcome the stalemate but to no avail.

Federation secretary-general Salman Al Mahfoodh said he would back the workers.