Some flights may leave Toronto Pearson International Airport with “less or no food” after workers who prepare meals for in-flight service walked off the job Tuesday, the union representing employees says.
Teamsters Local Union 647, which represents more than 800 workers at airline catering company Gate Gourmet, said employees began striking at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday after members rejected the company’s final offer. .
“Our members agreed to a pay freeze during the pandemic to help this company survive. Now their managers are bragging about how profitable their Pearson operations have become, while proposing wage increases of up to 89 cents an hour,” said Martin Cerqua, chief union negotiator and president of Local Union 647, in a written statement.
The workers were seen on the picket line in front of Gate Gourmet on Britannia Road East in Mississauga on Tuesday morning.
In a statement released Monday, the union said the labor dispute will be “highly disruptive,” and noted that Air Canada will be “most affected by the strike.”
Air Canada said it has developed contingency plans to mitigate the impact of the strike.
In a statement to CP24, the airline said it does not expect “any impact” on international flights, but that some adjustments will be made to food and beverage service on certain North American flights departing from Toronto.
In some cases, on shorter routes, Air Canada said, adjustments will also need to be made on flights returning to Toronto from other cities.
Short-haul flights of less than two hours are “most affected,” the company said, and customers will be informed “directly” about any changes to food and beverage service.
For flights longer than two hours within North America, exclusive class, business class and premium economy customers will be served hot meals but with fewer menu options. Pre-ordering will be suspended and special meal offerings will be limited to Kosher.
“Passengers with dietary restrictions are advised to plan ahead,” Air Canada said.
In economy class, snack and beverage service will be provided with Air Canada Bistro items and alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
For flights of less than two hours within North America, hot meals will no longer be offered in business class and service will be adjusted to include a “snack basket” and water service. In economy class, passengers will receive a light packaged snack along with water, the airline said.
The union said other airlines affected by the strike include United Airlines, Delta Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Jetlines and WestJet.
Last week, WestJet said it had also taken steps to mitigate a potential strike.
“…our catering team has proactively prepared contingency plans to mitigate the impact on WestJet’s operations in Toronto, to ensure we can continue to provide food and beverages to our guests on board our aircraft,” a spokesperson said. to CP24.
In a statement sent Monday, Gate Gourmet said operations in Canada and around the world are “unaffected.”
“Gate Gourmet Canada encourages our valued employees to vote in favor of the final offer (presented to them at the request of the Union) that we believe addresses their expressed wishes regarding salaries, benefits and working conditions at the unit, including an increase salary of 12%. for three years,” the statement said.
“At our Toronto operation, we have established contingency plans with our airline customers to minimize any impact on them and their passengers.”