Qantas could be hit by major travel disruptions over Christmas as baggage handlers threaten to strike

Baggage handlers and ground crews working on Qantas services and other airlines have overwhelmingly voted to strike in a move that could disrupt Australians' holiday travel plans.

About 1000 Dnata workers across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia today voted 98 per cent in favour of protected industrial action.

They also overwhelmingly rejected Dnata's offer of improved rostering, job security and pay for a second time.

READ MORE: Passenger lands in court after alleged sexual, aggressive comments to flight crew

Dnata is one of the companies Qantas outsourced ground handling operations to after the illegal sacking of about 1700 workers during the pandemic.

"As a result, wages for workers getting Qantas planes off the ground have been slashed and suppressed," the Transport Workers Union (TWU) said in a statement.

Dnata provides baggage handling services to hundreds of airlines and airports in Australia and overseas, including Singapore Airlines, Etihad, and Emirates.

Workers are demanding more hours, fairer rosters and better jobs to rebuild jobs in aviation, which the union claimed has become "low-paid and insecure".

A date for industrial action has not been set but the union is meeting with Dnata soon.

READ MORE: Man rushed to hospital after shark attack off Queensland coast

If talks fail, the union warned there may be disruptions over the busy Christmas period.

"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 so that low-paid workers and travellers avoid unnecessary disruption over the busy Christmas period.

"Ground handling is a highly-skilled job, but thousands of experienced workers have been forced out of the industry by Qantas' illegal outsourcing, and those who are left are under-staffed, with low wages and insecure jobs.

"We're going to continue seeing a revolving door in aviation and falling standards for passengers until this industry is rebalanced."

READ MORE: The staggering amount Aussie couples are spending on weddings

Dnata said it was "extremely disappointed" that the offer of a five per cent pay rise followed by a one per cent increase in benefits and a four per cent pay rise the following year was rejected.

"(This was) despite us going above and beyond to avoid an industrial action," a spokesperson said.

"Throughout the negotiations, we have repeatedly sought genuine dialogue, but our efforts to reach a fair and balanced resolution have not been reciprocated.

"While we remain open to constructive discussions, we will not compromise the sustainability of our business to meet unreasonable expectations."

Dnata said it is working closely with airlines to keep them informed and will engage with employees.

"Should an industrial action go ahead, our robust contingency plans will help us minimise any impact on our operations," the spokesperson said.

"We are hopeful that even if industrial action is pursued by the union, it will not be strongly supported by our employees."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.