Airline caterers are on strike, affecting travelers flying through Pearson Airport

More than 800 airline catering workers at Toronto's Pearson Airport went on strike Tuesday, leaving thousands of passengers without food.

Gate Gourmet workers voted 96 percent against the Swiss travel catering company's proposal Monday night, Teamsters Canada said.

Workers prepare, package, and deliver food and beverages to airplanes for in-flight service.

“Our members are struggling to survive the cost of living crisis and support their families during this difficult time. That's what it's about,” said Martin Cerqua, the local union's lead negotiator.

He said the workers are asking for the same living conditions and wages as workers across the country.

For example, Gate Gourmet employees who unload tray carts and wash dishes and cutlery at the Vancouver airport earn $6 an hour more than their colleagues at Pearson, he said.

“We're way behind,” Cerqua said from a picket line outside the airport.

“It's dirty, hard, physically demanding work.”

Gate Gourmet is the largest airline operating out of Toronto, including Air Canada, WestJet, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. Owned by Gategroup, it operates more than 135 locations in 33 countries, according to the website.

The caterer said in a statement that its latest offer was “fair and market competitive”.

“Gate Gourmet Canada is disappointed that the union's refusal to continue negotiations has led to a strike this week,” the statement said.

“We've urged our valued employees to vote in favor of a proposal that would address their desires for wages, benefits and working conditions in the department, including a 12 percent pay increase over three years.”

Gate Gourmet added that it has made contingency plans for customers “to minimize any impact to them and their passengers”.

Air Canada said short-haul flights will be most affected.

Economy class customers on flights of less than two hours get a candy or cookie with their water, while business class customers don't enjoy the usual hot meal. Passengers on flights longer than two hours in North America can enjoy snacks and beverages, alcohol and some food options for purchase.

“We do not anticipate any impact on our international flights” — not including the U.S. — Air Canada spokesman Peter Fitzpatrick said in an email. Affected customers will be notified, he added.

WestJet said flights operated by Pearson on its Boeing 737s – the vast majority of its fleet – may have an “irregular food or beverage offering” starting Tuesday.

“We advise guests traveling to or from Toronto to plan ahead and bring additional food and/or drink for their trip,” spokeswoman Madison Krueger said in an email.

For transatlantic flights, the airline will give customers an “alternative option,” or vouchers to buy food on top of the free in-flight candy or cookies in the terminal before the flight, he said.

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Christopher Reynolds, Canadian Press

More than 800 airline catering staff at Toronto's Pearson Airport have gone on strike, potentially leaving thousands of passengers without food. Travelers walk through Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

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