Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
More than 8,000 airline catering workers employed by catering subcontractor Gate Gourmet at 30 airports have a new tentative agreement (TA) that was reached late Friday night, averting a potential strike that could have kicked off as soon as July 30.
These workers are represented by a coalition of labor unions—including UNITE HERE; the Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers (BCTGM); the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union-UFCW (RWDSU-UFCW); and the Teamsters—called the Employee Representatives’ Council. They prepare, pack, and deliver food and beverages to aircraft departing airports across mainland U.S. and Hawaii, an essential role in commercial air travel that requires skill in provisions to keep flights running smoothly. Despite the fact that Gate Gourmet is the world’s largest independent provider of airline catering services, members reported struggling with low wages and lack of access to quality, affordable health care. After more than six years in bargaining sessions, and intervention by the National Mediation Board, workers now have a tentative contract. However, the unions report there are several details that still need to be hammered out before the deal can be finalized.