Conciliation experts are trying to sort out differences between British Airways staff and managers as Gatwick remains on the brink of a walk-out.

ACAS is trying to get both sides back to the negotiating table to avert a strike which could bring the North Terminal to a standstill.

About 900 BA staff there have been advised by their unions to stay at their posts.

It is one of the busiest periods of the year and BA managers hope the dispute over new working practices will not escalate into a mass walkout.

Wildcat strike action has already caused misery for passengers at Heathrow.

Now ballot papers are being drawn up for a vote on official strike action at Gatwick.

At the centre of the row is a controversial electronic swipe card which BA employees must now use when they start shifts or take breaks.

Talks between management and unions broke down late on Tuesday after 27 hours of tough negotiation.

Gatwick staff were convinced by union bosses an official strike ballot was the best way forward.

Anxious BA managers feared a walkout as the deadline when the cards became official management policy approached but check-in continued normally and flights boarded as scheduled.

One check-in agent, who asked not to be named, said: "We just don't know what is going on ourselves. There are still meetings going on."

Staff were warned if they took unofficial action they could not be protected by union legislation. There were also fears of management reprisals.

Most of BA's ground staff at Gatwick are members of the T&G transport union.

Gatwick union organiser Madeleine Richards said: "We have urged our members not to put themselves at risk by taking unlawful action."

"They are incensed by the tactics of the management.

"Members have contributed so much to BA to get the company through many difficulties over the past two years and are now facing unacceptable changes to their working practices."

Thursday July 24, 2003