PASSENGERS flying from a major Scots airport could soon face in-flight food and drink shortages, a trade union has warned.
Catering staff are set to be balloted over strike action by Unite, which could impact the busy Christmas travel period.
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The workers provide meals, snacks and refreshments for a string of major air hubs across the UK.
The walkouts could affect Glasgow, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Gatwick, London City, Heathrow, and Stansted airports.
Unite said travellers may face “foodless flights” if its members at service provider Dnata vote to walk out over pay and conditions.
More than 700 workers at the firm will be balloted.
Airlines that could be left without catering include easyJet, Ryanair, BA, and Emirates.
A Unite statement read: “Passengers at airports across the country are facing the prospect of having no onboard food or drink during long and short haul flights as Dnata catering workers ballot for strike action.
“More than 700 Dnata workers, providing food for airlines at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, London City, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham airports, are balloting for strike action.
“The production line, warehouse and delivery workers are angry at the company’s attempts to change their terms and conditions without consultation.
“If strikes go ahead, major airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, BA, Emirates, American Airlines and Air India will be impacted.”
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.”
A dnata Catering & Retail UK spokesperson 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.”
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