Catering firm and union reach deal

In-flight catering firm Gate Gourmet and the Transport and General Workers Union have announced a provisional deal that looks likely to bring the long running dispute to an end.

While no details have yet been released the deal will be put to staff on Wednesday.

A joint press statement from Gate Gourmet, the TGWU and the TUC said: "Following intensive talks throughout recent days an agreement has now been reached between the TGWU and Gate Gourmet London Limited, with assistance from the TUC, to resolve the long running dispute. The agreement has to be ratified by the members of the union and the company’s board of directors.

"Details of the agreement will only be released on Wednesday, late afternoon, after they have been fully reported to all concerned on both sides.

"Both the company and the union are pleased that a way forward has been found, and if the agreement is ratified both sides have committed to working together to rebuild trust and confidence after all the difficulties of recent weeks."

The dispute at the airline catering firm erupted after over 650 workers were sacked in an unresolved row over restructuring.

This subsequently led to two-days of wildcat strike action by some staff at British Airways and the suspension of BA flights from Heathrow.

Following a return to work by BA staff, Gate Gourmet offered redundancy packages to all the sacked staff but said that some 200 former workers, who the company described as "troublemakers" would not be re-employed.

It is believed that some form of agreement has been reached between the company and the union over this issue.

A further statement regarding the settlement is expected later on Wednesday.

(SP/KMcA)