CATERING workers at eight major airports in the UK could strike, leaving flights without food and drinks.

Birmingham Airport could be among those impacted as more than 700 dnata catering workers have started a ballot for strike action.

Dnata provides food and drink services on both long- and short-haul flights from airlines such as Emirates, TUI, EasyJet, Ryan Air and Air India who operate from Birmingham airport.

Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport, Glasgow Airport, London City Airport, Stanstead Airport and Bristol Airport could also be impacted if the ballot is passed.

Unite the Union who are representing the dnata workers have said production line staff, warehouse staff and delivery workers are all considering strike action as they are angry about attempts to change the terms and conditions of their work without consultation.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “dnata’s attempts to bypass its workers and force through damaging changes to terms and conditions will not be tolerated.

“Unite’s dnata members have their union’s full and unflinching support in fighting its underhand attempts to impose these plans.”

Unite has also claimed that dnata is refusing to consult with them on plans that could “detrimentally impact how rostering, variable working, annualised hours, seasonal working, absence management and annual leave allocations are carried out”.

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson from dnata said: "Despite our continuous efforts to reach a fair solution, Unite has rejected our reasonable proposals to enhance wages and conditions and initiated a ballot for industrial action.

“We have already implemented and paid a salary increase to our team to address cost-of-living pressures and recognise their contributions to the company. Our current, competitive offer is in line with market conditions, reflecting industry standards and comparable roles in the sector.

“We are surprised and disappointed by the union's recent statement claiming we are changing terms and conditions without consultation, which is entirely inaccurate.

“We have consistently sought to engage in constructive discussions with the union throughout the negotiation process.

“We remain open to further dialogue and are committed to achieving an agreement that serves the interests of all parties and ensures the sustainability of our organisation."  

The strike ballot is currently open and workers are set to make a decision on December 5.

If the strikes do go ahead, they could potentially impact the busy Christmas period, Unite have said.

Unite national officer for aviation Balvinder Bir said: “Strikes would have a serious impact on major airlines at eight UK airports and will be entirely the fault of dnata.

“There is still time for industrial action to be avoided but that will require dnata entering into meaningful negotiations with Unite about the changes it is putting forward.”