ONE of Hampshire's biggest teaching unions yesterday postponed balloting its 4,000 members on strike action over a six-term year.

The National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers will wait until a crunch meeting with the Local Government Association on May 24 before deciding what to do.

Regional leader Ron Clooney said: "We have requested a ballot in Hampshire and the union's National Action Committee has recommended we wait until the meeting."

If LGA representatives say they have a strategic plan for all local education authorities to adopt a six-term school year post 2006, teachers will not strike.

But Mr Clooney warned if the changes continued to be introduced across the country in a piecemeal way they would have no other option.

"We are not against a six-term year but the fact that in Hampshire the consultation process was totally disregarded. If every county is going to do that there will be chaos."

The timescale of any ballot could mean that any strike action could still take place this term.

Hampshire businesses are today coming to terms with the changes they will have to make when the new six-term school year is introduced in September next year.

Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce is to notify its 2,000 members - representing 100,000 workers - about the new school year agreed this week by county council education chiefs.

Spokesman Catherine Wright said it would have huge implications for banks, retailers and insurance companies who employ staff on a term-time basis.

"It's up to Human Resource Departments to implement the changes. We are used to the spring holiday whizzing around because of Easter.

"In many ways the fixed spring break might make it easier for companies as they will always know the spring holiday is going to be the first two weeks of April.

"Whether children are in or out of school, holiday dates have a huge effect on businesses."

David Skillicorn, Managing Director of Palmair, one of the south's major travel operators, said the changes would make no difference to peak-time holiday prices.

He said the summer and Easter breaks would continue to be a more expensive way to travel.

Nationwide 13 LEAs are to introduce a six- term year from September and Southampton will announce its plans next month.