Gate Gourmet dispute ends

The T&G general union has welcomed the signing of a new catering contract by British Airways and Gate Gourmet. This brings to an end the bitter dispute between the airline caterer and the union.

The dispute began on 10 August at Heathrow Airport when Gate Gourmet sacked 667 workers for objecting to the hiring of temporary staff while permanent staff faced redundancy.

The new contract ratifies the union's deal with the airline caterer which Gate Gourmet workers voted to accept at the end of September.

T&G general secretary Tony Woodley said the agreement: "will see the great majority of our members going back to work or taking voluntary separation." He explained that: "The remainder, who would have faced compulsory redundancy under the company's plans prior to the dispute, will now have representation and access to an appeals procedure following a fair process. Even those members will at least now receive compensation whereas they would have received nothing after being sacked".

* Meanwhile another dispute with the company broke out last month, this time at Dusseldorf airport in Germany. Around 90 members of the NGG food workers' union went on strike following the breakdown of pay negotiations and the threat of redundancies.