Travellers at Melbourne airport are being warned to brace for filthy toilets and piles of rubbish next week after crisis talks with the cleaning company, Spotless, failed to reach a resolution.

Cleaners working at the Qantas and Jetstar domestic terminal are seeking a 4 per cent pay increase and want the return of a AU$1,600 travel allowance.

An urgent meeting between the cleaners' union, United Voice, and Spotless yesterday failed to secure any of the workers' demands after negotiations that have dragged on since April.

United Voice assistant state secretary Ben Radford said airport cleaners were to meet soon to decide what action they would take, but warned strike action could begin next week.

Stop-work action could include bans on cleaning and duties such as replacing toilet rolls and emptying bins.

In July, ISS Cleaning workers at Melbourne airport's international terminal won a new agreement that provides annual pay increases of 4 per cent and restored an airport allowance.

Spotless has refused to reinstate the allowance.