MP joins Gate Gourmet workforce calls
A Labour MP has joined calls to reinstate the workforce of airline caterer Gate Gourmet.
Alan Keen, whose Feltham and Heston constituency adjoins Heathrow airport, said reinstating the sacked workforce was “absolutely essential” to a deal between British Airways and the catering firm.
Gate Gourmet said an improved deal with BA had to be reached by 1700 BST on Tuesday if the company was to avoid collapse.
This deadline has now been postponed and negotiations will continue into Wednesday.
British Airways has indicated that an improved deal depends on improved labour practices at the caterer.
Talks between BA and Gate Gourmet, and the T&G union and Gate Gourmet are ongoing after the airline caterer sacked 670 workers who walked out in protest at its restructuring plans.
Speaking on Today Mr Keen said it was a planned move to force the hand of the caterer’s workforce.
“They got rid of them, really planned to get rid of them because they wanted to reduce the costs and bring in temporary workers. Well they can let the temporary workers go and bring back the workforce,” he said.
T&G general secretary Tony Woodley wants to see an “honourable compromise” allowing for cost reductions but also for the workforce to be reinstated.
And he warned that the public “will never forgive or forget” if a deal was not struck.
He told Newsnight: “They will not forgive British Airways and they certainly will not forget Gate Gourmet, unless of course they do the honourable thing and classically compromise a way forward.”
Gate Gourmet chief executive Dave Siegel says the company wants a fairer and more competitive contract from British Airways.
The dispute, which broke out nearly two weeks ago, saw BA ground staff at Heathrow walk out in sympathy with the Gate Gourmet workers, forcing the airline to cancel over 700 flights.
