Background Information: Gate Gourmet Dispute at Heathrow
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The ITF-affiliated Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) has been in negotiations with Gate Gourmet since February over measures to deal with projected operating losses at Heathrow. A rescue package was put forward in June, but when it became clear that managers was excluded from the cost-cutting measures, the workforce rejected the package. The TGWU continued trying to find a solution.
In August, Gate Gourmet announced their intention to hire 120 temporary workers - while permanent staff continued to work under the threat of being made redundant. The company ignored calls for discussions and brought in the temporary workers on Wednesday. While union representatives talked to management, staff assembled in the canteen in preparation for a meeting were told to return to work or they would be sacked. Those reporting to work for a later shift were told they had been sacked. Workers on sick leave and holiday were informed by letter that they had been sacked.
The ITF has informed aviation unions of this crisis situation. Offers of support have been received from unions in the United States, Norway, Sweden and Denmark, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, France, Turkey and Australia. Gate Gourmet operations at Heathrow are at a standstill. Together with the food workers’ international union, the IUF, the ITF has asked affiliates for support, in particular requesting them to look at return catering practices and to call for meetings with their companies to explain the situation. LSG Sky Chefs workers in Norway and Denmark have refused to load meals onto aircraft bound for London-Heathrow otherwise serviced by Gate Gourmet.
Meanwhile, it has emerged in the press that the dispute is the result of a cynical plot by the company to recruit new staff under poor employment conditions, and dismiss the current workforce. The British newspaper Daily Mirror revealed on 15 August that it had seen secret internal documents detailing a 15-month plan to provoke workers into striking so they could be replaced with Cheap East European contract labour employed by an external company and trained at secret bases. According to the Mirror report, a union-busting-type team of businessmen from Texas Pacific Group drew up the sacking plan. They advised directors to release statements continuously stating their intention to be reasonable and resolve the dispute.
The T&G is seeking the immediate reinstatement of the sacked workers and calling for immediate constructive dialogue with management. Negotiations so far have not produced satisfactory results.
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Sample letter of Support | Sample Protest Letter | Catering workers sacked at Heathrow
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