Menu
29/09/2005
Deal agreed in Gate Gourmet dispute
A deal has been reached by catering firm Gate Gourmet and the Transport and General Workers Union to bring an end to the long-running dispute at Heathrow Airport.
The row began in August when nearly 700 catering staff, mainly Asian women, were sacked by the US-owned firm in a row over the restructuring of the company.
The dispute left British Airways flights without catering, because Gate Gourmet is the sole catering supplier for the airline’s Heathrow flights.
However, the situation worsened when a large number of British Airways staff walked out on a wildcat strike, resulting in the cancellation of all BA flights from Heathrow and leaving 100,000 passengers stranded.
The deal agreed by the TGWU and Gate Gourmet will result in around 144 workers being made compulsorily redundant, while hundreds of others will take voluntary redundancy.
Gate Gourmet had earlier offered to pay redundancy packages to staff, including those that had been sacked. However, the dispute had continued, largely due to the catering firm’s refusal to reinstate around 200 workers that they had branded ‘troublemakers’.
Eric Born, Managing Director of Gate Gourmet UK & Ireland, said he was pleased that a resolution had been reached.
Earlier this week, at the Labour party conference in Brighton, TGWU General Secretary Tony Woodley called for new legislation to allow workers to take supportive industrial action in disputes similar to that at Gate Gourmet.
(KMcA/SP)
The row began in August when nearly 700 catering staff, mainly Asian women, were sacked by the US-owned firm in a row over the restructuring of the company.
The dispute left British Airways flights without catering, because Gate Gourmet is the sole catering supplier for the airline’s Heathrow flights.
However, the situation worsened when a large number of British Airways staff walked out on a wildcat strike, resulting in the cancellation of all BA flights from Heathrow and leaving 100,000 passengers stranded.
The deal agreed by the TGWU and Gate Gourmet will result in around 144 workers being made compulsorily redundant, while hundreds of others will take voluntary redundancy.
Gate Gourmet had earlier offered to pay redundancy packages to staff, including those that had been sacked. However, the dispute had continued, largely due to the catering firm’s refusal to reinstate around 200 workers that they had branded ‘troublemakers’.
Eric Born, Managing Director of Gate Gourmet UK & Ireland, said he was pleased that a resolution had been reached.
Earlier this week, at the Labour party conference in Brighton, TGWU General Secretary Tony Woodley called for new legislation to allow workers to take supportive industrial action in disputes similar to that at Gate Gourmet.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 August 2005
Talks to begin over Heathrow catering row
Talks are set to begin in an attempt to resolve the industrial dispute, which has led to the cancellation of flights and the stranding of over 70,000 passengers at London’s Heathrow airport.
Talks to begin over Heathrow catering row
Talks are set to begin in an attempt to resolve the industrial dispute, which has led to the cancellation of flights and the stranding of over 70,000 passengers at London’s Heathrow airport.
16 August 2005
Talks in Heathrow catering row break down
Talks between catering firm Gate Gourmet and the Transport and General Workers Union have broken down after the two sides failed to reach an agreement. Discussions resumed earlier today in an attempt to resolve the dispute, which resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of British Airways flights last week.
Talks in Heathrow catering row break down
Talks between catering firm Gate Gourmet and the Transport and General Workers Union have broken down after the two sides failed to reach an agreement. Discussions resumed earlier today in an attempt to resolve the dispute, which resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of British Airways flights last week.
15 August 2005
Catering dispute talks as BA flights resume
Talks in an attempt to resolve an industrial dispute that had sparked the chaos which stranded 70,000 passengers at Heathrow, are expected to resume today. The sacking of around 670 workers at in-flight meals company Gate Gourmet led to sympathy action by BA baggage handlers.
Catering dispute talks as BA flights resume
Talks in an attempt to resolve an industrial dispute that had sparked the chaos which stranded 70,000 passengers at Heathrow, are expected to resume today. The sacking of around 670 workers at in-flight meals company Gate Gourmet led to sympathy action by BA baggage handlers.
27 September 2005
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.
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.
26 August 2005
Gate Gourmet and union talks end in deal
Talks between the troubled airline catering firm, Gate Gourmet, and unions aimed at resolving the ongoing industrial dispute have reached a preliminary deal.
Gate Gourmet and union talks end in deal
Talks between the troubled airline catering firm, Gate Gourmet, and unions aimed at resolving the ongoing industrial dispute have reached a preliminary deal.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
