Strike action threatens to cause flight chaos at Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester over Christmas.
Staff at airport ground handling company dnata have voted for a two-day strike from Tuesday 23 December over a pay dispute.
Unite has called on dnata to enter into talks at Acas to resolve the row over what it calls a ‘divisive’ pay offer.
It says a pay offer which sees supervisors get 4.5% – double the 2.25% of other staff – creates a workforce of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.
It warned that over 460 members, based mainly at Heathrow, would go on strike if the company continued to refuse to negotiate.
The main airlines that would be affected are Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Iran Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airways, New Zealand Airways, Pakistan International Airlines, US Airways, Eva Air, Qantas Airways and Oman Airways.
Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said: "Strike action is very much a last resort and our members are mindful of the potential disruption it could cause. But they feel frustrated with an employer that has refused point blank to go to Acas and negotiate in a sensible manner.
"Instead hardworking staff have seen their supervisors enjoy a pay rise double the amount that was imposed on them.
"Our members are angry over the inequality being shown within dnata and we would urge management to join us at Acas to reach a fair pay deal."
