Achi news desk-
More than 800 workers responsible for providing food and beverages on flights leaving Toronto Pearson International Airport are on strike.
Workers at Gate Gourmet, an airline catering and logistics company, went on strike Tuesday after voting 96 percent to reject a final offer from the company, Teamsters Local Union 647 said in a statement.
“Our members accepted a wage freeze during the pandemic to help this company survive,” said Martin Cerqua, chief union negotiator and president of Local Union 647.
“Now their managers are bragging about how profitable their operations have become at Pearson, while offering wage increases as low as 89 cents an hour.”
The union expects that many flights leaving Toronto will have little or no food; Airlines affected include WestJet, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Jetlines, as well as Air Canada, which the union said will be most affected by the strike .
The union added that Gate Gourmet workers are paid an average of $17.69 to $20 an hour, lower than other airline catering companies in Toronto and Gate Gourmet workers in Vancouver. The union also claims that reduced staffing levels have put workers at risk.
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In a statement, Gate Gourmet Canada said it was “disappointed” that a strike was underway.
“On Friday, the union notified us that they would be abandoning negotiations and demanding a final offer, which Gate Gourmet Canada submitted. The union walked away from the negotiating table, despite our belief that Gate Gourmet’s offer was fair and competitive in the market,” he said, adding that the company was offering a 12 percent pay rise over three years.
“In our Toronto operation, we have established contingency plans with our airline customers to minimize any impact on them and their passengers. We remain committed to doing right by our workers and ending the strike so we can continue to work in partnership with our airline customers and serve the traveling public.”
Air Canada, WestJet respond to strike
Air Canada and WestJet, Canada’s largest airlines, said in separate statements that they had prepared for the work stoppage.
“We anticipate no impact on our international flights, but we plan to make some adjustments to food and beverage service on some departing North American flights and, in some cases on shorter routes, returning to Toronto,” an Air Canada spokesperson told Global News Toronto in a statement Tuesday.
“Short-haul flights of less than two hours are most affected.”
The airline added that flights over two hours within North America will have fewer options on the menu, while flights under two hours will not have hot meals available; snacks and water service will continue.
Meanwhile, WestJet said its Boeing 737 flights departing Pearson will be affected.
“Eligible guests to receive an inflight meal including those in the Premium cabin or extended comfort seats, and all guests traveling on transatlantic flights will receive either an alternative option or a food and beverage voucher to be used in the terminal, before departure,” the company said in a statement on its website.
“Additionally, WestJet advises guests traveling to or from Toronto to plan ahead and bring an extra snack and/or drink for their trip.”
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
