Food and beverages on some flights may affect a possible strike involving food service workers at Pearson.

A union representing workers who prepare in-flight meals for several airlines at Toronto Pearson International Airport says workers may walk off the job next week, which they say could leave many flights without food or drink.

Teamsters Local Union 647, which represents more than 800 workers at the Gate Gourmet airline, said it may strike on April 16.

“We are in a cost of living crisis, yet Gate Gourmet ignores the basic needs of its employees' families and refuses to pay workers a living wage. We will strike unless this company recognizes the cost of lives,” Martin Cerqua, the union's lead negotiator and Teamsters Local Union 647 president, said in a written statement released Tuesday.

CP24.com has reached out to Gate Gourmet for comment on the ongoing negotiations.

The union said both Air Canada and WestJet could be affected by the potential labor action.

In a statement sent to CP24 on Wednesday, WestJet said steps have been taken to minimize the impact of a potential strike.

“…Our catering team has prepared contingency plans to minimize the impact on WestJet's operations in Toronto to ensure we can continue to serve food and beverage to our guests on board,” the statement said.

Air Canada said it was too early to comment on a possible strike.

“We are aware of the situation, but it is too early to speculate,” the airline said in a statement to CP24.com, noting that Gate Gourmet is an “independent supplier” to the industry.

Teamsters Canada director of public relations Christopher Monette told CP24 the union will enter into two days of mediation with the employer and the provincial government on Thursday and Friday.

Monette said the workers will go on strike at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday if negotiations fail.

He noted that he plans to set up picket lines at Gate Gourmet at the airport, but has not yet ruled out picketing at the terminals.

Other airlines likely to be affected by the strike include United Airlines, Delta Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Jetlines, the union said.