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British Airways (BA) has called in conciliation service Acas to help resolve its dispute with cabin crew staff.

Talks with cabin crew representatives from the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) collapsed yesterday, leaving passengers facing three days of strikes beginning on January 29th.

Disquiet about staff illness arrangements and new entrant pay scales contributed to unrest among BA employees, who voted to approve strike action on January 15th.

"We believe the answer must come through discussion, not confrontation – so we have asked Acas to assist us in taking the process forward," BA chief executive Willie Walsh said in a statement issued this morning.

"A strike would be completely unnecessary and unjustified. I am convinced we can settle the issues at the centre of this dispute through sensible discussion and negotiation."

But T&G general secretary Jack Dromey said yesterday: "British Airways management have completely failed to engage with the union on our compromise proposals and appear unwilling to listen to this loyal, professional and hard-working group of employees."

Further disruption later this month means more bad news for BA customers, who were forced to endure severe disruptions and cancellations of BA domestic flights after heavy fog limited visibility in the run-up to Christmas.