WestJet Airlines is advising passengers flying to and from Toronto to pack lunch after 800 employees at catering company Gate Gourmet went on strike overnight.
The suspension of operations by in-flight food suppliers also affects passengers on Air Canada and most other flights at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s busiest airport.
Employees at Gate Gourmet, which prepares, packs and delivers 250 meals and drinks each day at Pearson Airport, went on strike in the middle of the night after rejecting a final offer from their employer, the team’s chief union negotiator said. said local president Martin Cerqua. 647.
The Teamsters said in a statement that Air Canada is most affected by the strike, as well as United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, TAP Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Jetline. said.
“Our members accepted wage freezes to help keep the company afloat during the pandemic. Now, executives are boasting about how profitable their business at Pearson is, with wages as low as 89 cents an hour. We are proposing low pay raises,” Cerqua said.
Teamsters spokesman Christopher Monette said employees earn between $17.70 and $20 an hour, about $6 less than Vancouver workers at other companies and Gate Gourmet.
Zurich-based Gate Gourmet, Canada’s largest airline catering company, said it was “disappointed” that its workers rejected an offer that included a 12 per cent pay increase over three years.
Elaine Dray, human resources director for Gate Group North America, Gate Gourmet’s parent company, said the union is demanding a 24 percent raise over three years, including 17 percent in the first year. She challenged the pay ranges set by the Teamsters, saying 405 workers earned more than $21 an hour. Dray said in an interview that the company will hire managers, office staff and outside workers during her strike.
Customers on WestJet’s premium seats and transatlantic flights will be given unspecified “alternative options” or pre-departure vouchers for food and drinks, the airline said.
WestJet is planning a strike by stockpiling food on some of its planes, and plans to load meals at other airports if possible. The strike affects travelers on the airline’s Boeing 737 aircraft. The company’s 787s are operated under a separate contract.
“We advise passengers traveling to and from Toronto to plan ahead and bring additional snacks and beverages for their itinerary,” WestJet said in a statement.
Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said hot meals will not be served on flights of less than two hours, but snacks and water will be provided. On long-haul flights within North America, hot meal options will be reduced and special options will be limited to kosher.
“We do not anticipate any impact on international flights,” Fitzpatrick said.
Gate Gourmet said it has unspecified contingency plans in place with its airline customers to limit the impact of the strike. “We remain committed to doing right by our employees and ending the strike so that we can continue to partner with our airline customers and serve the traveling public,” the company said in an email.
Monette of the Teamsters said no talks were scheduled as of noon Tuesday. He declined to discuss negotiations, but said the company’s offer was “inadequate” amid a cost-of-living crisis that followed pandemic-induced layoffs and wage freezes. Now is the company’s turn to “step up,” he said.
The traveler approved According to the Canadian Air Transport Security Agency, “solid” foods such as sandwiches and fruit can be carried on board, but soft meals such as smoothies and chili may not be allowed. You can also bring in drinks smaller than 100ml.
CATSA warns that food not eaten by the time a passenger arrives at a foreign airport will be subject to that country’s regulations.
