EasyJet, Ryanair and TUI passengers warned about 'no food on flights'

Passengers flying from eight UK airports including Birmingham Airport have been warned to expect 'foodless flights' as hundreds of airplane catering workers ballot for strike action.

More than 700 dnata staff who provide food for airlines at Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, London City, Stansted, Bristol, Manchester and Birmingham airports are balloting for industrial action over the company's efforts to change their terms and conditions.

Unite Union claims this has been done without consultation. If strikes go ahead, major airlines including easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, BA, Emirates, America Airlines and Air India will be impacted, the union warned.

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Dnata's clients at BHX include Emirates, TUI, easyJet, Ryanair and Air India. Production line, warehouse and delivery workers are among the staff involved in the ballot.

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."

The union said the proposed changes will affect how rostering, variable working, annualised hours, seasonal working, absence management and annual leave allocations are carried out. The industrial action ballot opened this week and will close on December 5, with strikes potentially being scheduled over the Christmas period.

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."

BirminghamLive has contacted the affected airlines for comment, while a spokesperson for dnata UK 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."