Emergency talks will be held today in a bid to avert strike action by thousands of British Airways cabin crew over pay, sick leave and conditions.

Members of the Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) yesterday backed industrial action by 96 per cent, one of the biggest majorities seen in such a dispute.

BA employs 4,000 staff at Gatwick, including 1,800 cabin crew.

Any strike action would be a further blow to BA, which was hit by heavy fog at Christmas and the subsequent lost luggage debacle at Heathrow.

The T&G announced at the start of a meeting attended by more than 1,000 BA cabin crew yesterday that 8,132 voted for strike action, with only 330 against.

Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary, said the strong vote for action showed how serious the situation had become, adding: "The reasonable men and women who are the BA cabin crew have been pushed too far and have had enough.

"The 96 per cent vote in favour of strike action sends an unmistakable message that there has been a breakdown in relationship between management and the cabin crew, who are a priceless asset without whom BA cannot succeed.

"BA must build trust and start by hearing the voice of the workforce. A new settlement is crucial, built on respect for the cabin crew."

The union said cabin crew workers were angered at the way sickness absence was dealt with by the airline and claims that staff were under pressure to turn up for work even if they were unwell. Workers said they were also unhappy about pay and terms and conditions, which they claimed had been eroded by a new management regime.

The airline faces a separate dispute over planned changes to its pension scheme.

A spokesman for BA said: "We are very disappointed by the T&G's threat of what would be completely unnecessary industrial action.

"We have arranged to meet T&G officials this week and we very much hope they will enter meaningful discussions with us on the issues the union has raised.

"The union says one of its key concerns is pensions, yet we have just concluded 16 months of talks by accepting a proposal put forward by the T&G and our other unions. On that basis alone, we believe the T&G should pause to reflect before threatening the travel plans of our customers and their families.

"On all the other issues the union has raised we have suggested ways of meeting concerns but up to now, it has either refused to discuss our proposals or rejected them out of hand.

"We have not been seeking to achieve new ways of working by imposition but through negotiation.

"Leaders of the T&G cabin crew branch have created a worrying time for our customers and our staff.

"We hope the union will grasp the opportunity to put aside threats of disruption and resolve concerns through proper negotiation."

Check-in staff and baggage handlers affiliated to the GMB union last Friday rejected a proposed deal to tackle the airline's £2.1 billion pensions deficit.