Airline caterers strike to affect travelers flying through Pearson Airport – Business News

More than 800 airline catering staff at Toronto's Pearson Airport have gone on strike, potentially leaving thousands of passengers without food.

The union representing Gate Gourmet workers said Monday night it had voted 96 percent against the Swiss travel catering company's proposal.

The striking workers prepare, package and deliver food and beverages to planes for in-flight service.

Gate Gourmet is the largest airline operating out of Toronto with customers including Air Canada, WestJet, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.

WestJet said flights operated by Pearson on its Boeing 737s – the vast majority of its fleet – could have a “uniform food or beverage offering” from Tuesday.

Martin Cerkwa, lead negotiator for the Teamsters Canada local, says Gate Gourmet is falling short of paying workers a living wage.