Airline Catering Strike Could Face Turbulent Approval Process (2)

It could be one of the largest strikes to hit the modern aviation industry. But there’s one significant hurdle: The federal government must first sign off.

Up to 25,000 airline catering workers—the employees who prepare, package, and deliver food and beverages to commercial flights—could go on strike as soon as late summer. More than 11,000 of those workers already have voted overwhelmingly to approve such a work action.

Dozens of airports and tens of thousands of travelers could be affected.

The employees, primarily represented by UNITE HERE, are seeking pay raises, better health care, safer work conditions, and the establishment ...