Airline catering workers at Pearson Airport went on strike

Some flights out of Toronto's Pearson Airport may have fewer food and beverage options because workers at the airline's catering company went on strike Tuesday, a labor union said.

Teamsters Local Union 647 says more than 800 workers at Gate Gourmet walked off the job at midnight after a majority vote to reject the company's latest offer.

The workers are responsible for preparing, packing and delivering food, snacks and beverages on up to 250 flights a day and “the labor dispute is deeply disruptive,” the union said in a statement.

“Our members took a pay freeze to help this company survive during the pandemic. Now their managers are bragging at Pearson about how efficient their operations are, while offering to raise wages to 89 cents an hour,” said Local Union 647 President Martin Cerqua. .

According to the union, the workers are paid less than their colleagues at Gate Gourmet at Vancouver International Airport and other airline catering companies. The reduction in the number of employees has led to an increase in industrial accidents, the union says.

Air Canada, which the union says is the airline most affected by the strike, and WestJet both told CBC Toronto they have contingency plans.

“We expect no impact on our international flights, but we plan to make some adjustments to food and beverage service on North American flights departing from Toronto and, in some cases, returning to Toronto on shorter routes,” an Air spokesperson said. This was reported by Canada via e-mail.

“Short-haul flights of less than two hours are most affected.”

Additionally, West Jet said flights operated by Boeing 737s arriving at or departing from Pearson “may contain an inappropriate offering of food or beverage.”

Passengers who are eligible for in-flight meals and those on transatlantic flights will be given an “alternative option” or pre-flight meal voucher that can be used at flight terminals, West Jet said.