Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted passengers warned of meals shortages on flights | UK | News | EUROtoday

Passengers boarding flights from the key UK airports may expertise in-flight food and drinks shortages, a commerce union has warned.

Unite will maintain a poll for staff who provide meals, snacks, and refreshments for flights departing from main airports, together with Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Birmingham.

As per the union, the walkout may additionally have an effect on Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow, and London City Airport, which have been scheduled to hit the busy Christmas journey interval.

The union claimed travellers confronted the prospect of “foodless fights” if its members at service supplier dnata voted to down instruments in a row over pay and situations.

A Unite assertion stated: “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 staff, offering meals for airways at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, London City, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham airports, are balloting for strike motion.

“The production line, warehouse, and delivery workers are angry at the company’s attempts to change their terms and conditions without consultation.”

It added: “If strikes go ahead, major airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, BA, Emirates, American Airlines and Air India will be impacted.”

The union’s common secretary Sharon Graham stated: “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 assist in combating its underhand makes an attempt to impose these plans.”

In their statement, the union claimed the Dubai-based firm of refusing to consult with union representatives on issues including sick leave, staff holidays and shift rosters.

It added: “The industrial motion poll opened this week and can shut on December 5, with strikes doubtlessly being scheduled over the Christmas interval.”

Unite national officer for aviation Balvinder Bir said: “Strikes would have a severe influence on main airways at eight UK airports and might be totally 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’s putting forward.”

A dnata Catering & Retail UK spokesperson instructed The Sun: “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.

2We 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 shocked and disillusioned by the union’s current assertion claiming we’re altering phrases and situations with out session, which is totally inaccurate.

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

“We stay open to additional dialogue and are dedicated to attaining an settlement that serves the pursuits of all events and ensures the sustainability of our organisation.”