Flyers warned to prepare for Christmas strikes

Hand baggage only might be the best policy for Australians planning to fly this festive season.

Baggage handlers have overwhelmingly voted to take strike action which could potentially disrupt Christmas travel plans, news portal Travel Mole reports. 

About 1,000 Dnata employees in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia have voted for industrial action.

This is the second time workers have rejected Dnata’s pay offer, which is tied to job security and a change in rostering arrangements. 

“Wages for workers getting Qantas planes off the ground have been slashed and suppressed,” the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said.

Dnata provides baggage handling for airlines at airports in Australia and worldwide.

Workers are demanding better rostering and pay.

The union is due for further talks with Dnata.

“Dnata ground workers are, like many in aviation, struggling to stay in this industry under the current pay rates and conditions,” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.

“Dnata must come back to the table with a fair offer.”

But the contract company remains defiant. 

“Should an industrial action go ahead, our robust contingency plans will help us minimise any impact,” Dnata said.

Ground handlers at Dnata have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action after twice rejecting a pay deal.

The TWU says 98% of workers supported the protected industrial action ballot.

The union has previously accused the UAE-based airport services provider, whose customers include Qantas, Emirates, Etihad and Singapore Airlines, of “refusing decent improvements on rostering, job security and pay”.

Heathrow strike threat could disrupt World Cup plans

So far this year dysfunctional Heathrow Airport has endured a summer of cancelled flights, long lines and delays, a plague of lost luggage issues and the imposition of a daily passenger limit. 

Now a threat to strike by several hundred Heathrow workers could disrupt travel for fans the run-up to the World Cup finals in Qatar laster this month.

The Unite union said 700 workers employed by Dnata and Menzies at Heathrow are involved in pay disputes and considering strikes for three days starting from November 18, Travel Mole reported. 

“It will lead to disruption, cancellations and delays at Heathrow," Unite said.

“The strike action will particularly affect Qatar Airways, which has scheduled an additional 10 flights a week during the World Cup.”

Other airlines that could be impacted including Virgin Atlantic, Cathay-Pacific and Emirates.

Unite said Dnata had offered a 5% increase, and Menzies between 2% and 6%, which the union calls 'real pay cuts'.

“Strike action will inevitably cause disruption to flights at Heathrow, with travellers to the World Cup particularly affected,” Unite regional officer Kevin Hall said.

The workers threatening strike action are involved in ground handling, airside transport and cargo. 

Football fans could face the prospect of missing England’s first game, a group match against Iran on November 21 as well as other matches.