UNION leaders are still hoping to meet Nissan bosses in the hope of averting a strike.

The Japanese manufacturer's plant in Washington, Wearside, has an 18-year strike-free history.

But that could be about to change.

Nissan angered staff by announcing plans to move its 60-strong purchasing department to Cranfield, in Bedfordshire, next June.

The Amicus union has balloted members in protest against the decision. The results of the ballot will be announced on Monday.

The union's regional office has complained that Nissan managers have refused to meet it to discuss the job changes.

An invitation from national representative Duncan Simpson has similarly been ignored.

Davey Hall, regional director of Amicus, said: "We thought that might make the company have a rethink and open up, but the company, in essence, has said no."

A Nissan spokesman said that it was in discussions with the company's works council, which contains three Amicus members.

He said there was an agreement with the union that they would only need to meet if discussions broke down with the council.

"Talks with staff are at a very early stage.

"Amicus asking to become involved at this stage is premature," the spokesman said.

The company would not comment on what stance it would take in the event of the ballot being in favour of strike action.

Mr Hall said a positive ballot response would not necessarily mean picketing was a certainty.

"The door is still open to the company to come and discuss things with the trade unions," he said.

The union, which represents 70 per cent of Nissan staff, said a vote against strike action would end the issue.

Possible industrial action has overshadowed an otherwise positive period for the company.

It announced on Thursday that it was creating jobs after securing £95m investment to build a cabriolet version of the Micra car.

The contract was clinched with the help of a £3.26m Government grant, and production is due to begin in autumn 2005.