Heathrow and Gatwick strike warning as 13 airlines from airports face flights without food or drink

Heathrow, Gatwick and London City passengers face long and short haul flights without any onboard food or drink as catering workers ballot for strike action. More than 700 dnata staff could strike over Christmas which will hit major airlines at London airports and those across the country, with easyJet, British Airways, Emirates and American Airlines flights all at risk.

According to Unite the union, there are production line, warehouse and delivery workers angry at the company’s attempts to change their terms and conditions without consultation. The industrial action ballot opened this week and will close on December 5, with strikes potentially being scheduled over the Christmas period.

If strikes go ahead, fights with 10 airlines from Heathrow and three from Gatwick will be at risk. BA passengers to and from London City could also be impacted.

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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 Unite spokesperson said dnata is refusing to consult with Unite on plans that could detrimentally impact how rostering, variable working, annualised hours, seasonal working, absence management and annual leave allocations are carried out.

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.”

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."

Airlines set to be hit at each airport across the country

Birmingham Airport: Emirates, TUI, EasyJet, Ryan Air and Air India

Bristol Airport: easyJet, TUI and Ryanair

Gatwick Airport: easyJet, TUI and Emirates

Glasgow Airport: easyJet, Emirates and BA

Heathrow: Emirates, American Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia airlines, China Air, Southern China, Air India, Royal Brunei Airline, Royal Jordanian, Kenya Airways

London City Airport: BA

Manchester Airport: easyJet, Ryanair, Emirates, TUI, Air Lingus, Singapore Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines

Stansted Airport: Ryanair, TUI, Emirates

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