Acas tries to prevent summer stoppage

Conciliators will make another attempt to break the deadlocked row, which has seen members of Unite take 22 days of strike action since March, costing the airline more than 150m.

Unite has warned it will hold another ballot for industrial action if there is no deal soon, raising the threat of disruption to flights in the busy summer months.

The union is checking its membership details to try to avoid any further legal challenges by BA, giving cabin crew until Friday to update their details.

It has previously claimed a deal could be achieved but that the airline was not interested in settling and wanted to punish members for taking part in strike action, a claim BA has furiously denied.

Acas chief conciliator Peter Harwood said: "This is a very damaging dispute for all concerned.

"The proposals we have put forward must understandably remain confidential, however, to enable the parties to reflect on them without the glare of publicity.

"I am expecting to meet the parties again early next week but, given past events, I hope everyone understands that the timing of the meeting and its location will be kept secret."

A Unite spokesman said: "We welcome this latest Acas initiative. Unite has always said that a dispute should be avoided, and there is certainly no wisdom in a protracted conflict.

"Only a negotiated settlement will bring the peace and stability to BA that it needs."