Perth Airport refuellers are threatening to go on strike in the lead-up to the AFL grand final, potentially disrupting travel arrangements for West Coast and Fremantle fans.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) and Shell Australia-owned ZIP Airport Services have been in negotiations for a new workplace agreement since February.

The previous agreement expired on April 30 this year.

The two sides have met about a dozen times, but the union claims negotiations have broken down.

It said 18 members at the airport had now voted in a secret ballot to take protected industrial action.

That could disrupt flight to Melbourne next week for AFL fans, TWU state secretary Tim Dawson said.

He blamed ZIP Airport Services, saying the company was "refusing to sit down and talk to us".

"They've disrespected the general public and especially the footy fans of West Australia who want to go to the Grand Final next week with no disruption," Mr Dawson said.

"If there's stoppages at the airport, then people who want to fly to the Grand Final may have problems getting to the Grand Final."

Shell said it had met with the union every two weeks since February.

In a statement, the company said it had "changed its position multiple times in negotiations - as a genuine attempt to reach agreement".

"Last week, Shell offered the union the opportunity to go to conciliation with the Fairwork Commission.

"This offer was flatly rejected by the TWU," Shell spokesman Paul Zennaro said.

"The workforce in question are the highest paid refuelling operators at Perth airport and already earn well above community expectations."

Strike 'inappropriate', Premier says

The TWU said it wanted a 5 per cent increase this year, followed by 4 per cent in the second and third years.

Shell Australia had initially offered a 3 per cent increase in the first year and 2 per cent thereafter. But after that was knocked back by the union, the offer was reduced to about 1.2 per cent a year.

WA Premier Colin Barnett expressed his disappointment at the union's choice of timing.

"Any industrial action that affects transport to the grand final is just so inappropriate," he said.

"I just appeal to the workers and the unions, don't do that.

"If you want to make your point, you can make it in ways which don't upset people's travel plans and the cost of it."

Mr Dawson acknowledged that if the union called a strike ahead of the grand final, it may be the one to feel the public backlash.

"We're willing to accept that at the end of the day," Mr Dawson said.

'We've done everything, we sat down with the company months ago to try and negotiate this."

The TWU is encouraging the public to boycott Shell petrol stations in a show of support for the airport refuellers and a protest against the company.