More than 8,000 airline catering workers are on the brink of a potential strike, which could disrupt summer travel plans for many passengers. These workers, employed by Gategourmet, a subsidiary of a Swiss company, are responsible for preparing, packing, and delivering food and drinks to planes at approximately 30 U.S. airports.
Unions representing the workers have been engaged in negotiations for six years, advocating for improved pay and health insurance benefits. According to reports, only a quarter of the workers are currently enrolled in the company's health plan, with some employees earning as little as $13 per hour as of January.
Despite not being directly employed by airlines, the unions argue that the profitability of airlines should translate into better compensation for subcontractors like Gategourmet.
Gategourmet has stated that it has presented an 'industry-leading offer' that includes enhancements to wages and healthcare benefits. While progress has been made in recent days, the looming strike deadline of early Tuesday has prompted the company to consider contingency plans to minimize disruptions to airline operations.
Strikes within the airline industry are uncommon due to federal regulations mandating mediation to assess the likelihood of successful future negotiations. The National Mediation Board released the unions from mediation on June 29, setting the stage for a potential legal strike.
As both parties continue to engage in discussions, the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain, with the fate of thousands of airline catering workers and the impact on air travel hanging in the balance.
