Some people waited five days for flights

The general secretary of the TUC has been asked to intervene in the dispute between British Airways and ground staff over a new clocking-on system.

An unofficial strike by workers at Heathrow Airport last weekend caused chaos for tens of thousands of passengers.

British Airways chief executive Rod Eddington is planning to meet representatives of the three unions involved, in an effort to avert further strikes.

The scientific and engineering union Amicus wants TUC chief Brendan Barber to act as a mediator in talks with the airline.

Amicus believes all unions should be present with Mr Barber acting as the go-between.

There is a long way to go, but we are going to work very hard BA The cause of the dispute

The leader of the GMB, Kevin Curran, told the BBC he was willing to go, but the meeting must not be a top-level stitch-up.

Any negotiated settlement had to include their representatives at Heathrow, he said.

The general secretary of the TGWU, Sir Bill Morris, was due to have a private meeting with the BA chief executive on Monday.

Relations between the three unions are said to be strained.

BA has angered staff and unions by pushing ahead with the introduction of an electronic clocking-on system.

Staff already have to be signed in and out by managers, on paper.

But they fear the swipecard system will pave the way for annualised hours and split shifts - for example, getting people to come in for two hours, going home for two hours, then coming back in again.

BA engineers have also threatened to strike over the new system, sharing the objections voiced by check-in staff.

They have said they will hold a ballot for industrial action at Heathrow and Gatwick airports if no negotiations on the change are held.