Unite, the leading union in the civil air transport sector, has saved over 90 Unite members’ jobs that were put at risk by catering firms Dnata and Do & Co.

Heathrow catering workers based at Dnata's Heston, west London site, who made meals for American Airlines flights are now in the process of being transferred to Gate Gourmet after a TUPE agreement between the two other catering firms was stopped with little rationale given.

In March American Airlines had a dispute with Dnata, who provide inflight meals on journeys from London Airport, after passengers and crew reported seeing mice on aircraft.

Without consultation, the airline then transferred its catering operation for first and business class services to rival firm Do & Co.

Then, four weeks later American Airlines served one month's notice to Dnata to terminate the contract, with initially close to 200 employees identified as being potentially impacted. After strong challenges from Unite the number went down to less than 120.

On 30 April these workers, which include Unite members, were told they would now be working for Do & Co as it would be the catering provider for American Airlines. Yet, one day later when coaches arrived to take workers to Do & Co with staff ready to work, they were met by a heavy security presence and not allowed in to start their jobs, leaving them in limbo.

However, Gate Gourmet has now confirmed it will take on these affected workers after Do & Co has wrongly continued to insist it does not believe the situation constitutes a TUPE transfer.

Instead of taking on these permanent staff, Do & Co is continuing to rely on agency workers.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham says: "Thanks to the hard work by Unite officials and representatives that these workers' jobs were saved. Unite will always fight to secure work for our members.

"However, Dnata, Do & Co and American Airlines have all behaved disgracefully and have serious questions to answer about the way they have treated these workers. Unite will never let our members be left out in the cold." 

Unite has instructed lawyers to prepare a legal claim against Dnata and Do & Co on behalf of the impacted members.

This comes as the firms are currently not engaging constructively while American Airlines has washed its hands of the situation, saying the matter does not concern its workforce directly.

Unite had over 90 members at Dnata, some of whom had worked for the company for 20 years or longer and were only offered two weeks' severance pay as a “goodwill gesture”.

The situation left them with a huge amount of uncertainty as well as fears around how they would pay for essentials including mortgages and rent going forward.

Gate Gourmet has offered affected Unite members broadly similar contracts. While this is in the process of being finalised and members are out of work, Unite has significantly lowered their subs to help them financially.

Unite regional officer Shereen Higginson said: "This has been an extremely complex and unprecedented situation and one which Unite has not encountered previously.

"We are grateful to Gate Gourmet who have stepped in and worked with Unite to help rescue our members' jobs. However, Dnata and Do & Co have handled this extremely poorly and caused significant concern and worry for our hardworking members. Unite has been left with no choice but to pursue legal action on this situation." 

ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org