Catering Strike Causes Delays at Toronto Pearson Airport

Customers flying from Toronto this week are facing limited on-board food options—and more flight disruptions than usual. 

Airline catering workers employed by Gate Gourmet went on strike last Tuesday, walking off the job and disrupting in-flight meal services at Toronto Pearson International Airport. This resulted in inconsistent food and drink services on several flights.

Gate Gourmet’s employees are responsible for preparing and delivering meals, snacks, and beverages for in-flight services on major airlines. Air Canada has been the most impacted by the strike, with many short-haul flights departing with limited, or no, hot food available. Although the airline initially predicted international flights would not be impacted by the work stoppage, it has since confirmed that some long-haul flights were significantly delayed last week.

Other airlines that may be leaving Toronto with little or no food onboard include WestJet, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, and Jetlines.

In a statement, WestJet said it had “prepared contingency plans to ensure critical supplies are available onboard” and that eligible customers would not go hungry: either receiving an inflight meal or a “food and beverage voucher for use in the terminal, pre-departure.”

Teamsters Local Union 647, which represents more than 800 workers with airline catering company Gate Gourmet, went back to the bargaining table on Friday. So far, an agreement has not been reached.

“Let me be clear — our union made significant movement at the bargaining table today. Unfortunately, Gate Gourmet is more interested in keeping their workers close to the poverty line than they are in bargaining,” Teamsters Local Union 647 president Martin Cerqua said in a statement Friday night.

According to the union, its workers are paid on average $2 to $6/hour less than other Canadian airline catering companies. Teamsters also alleges that Gate Gourmet’s cost-cutting measures have led to multiple workplace accidents and injuries.  

“Our members accepted a wage freeze during the pandemic to help this company survive. Now their managers brag about how profitable their operations have become at Pearson, while proposing wage increases as low as 89 cents an hour,” Cerqua said.

Gate Gourmet rejected the union’s proposal on Friday, warning the striking employees that continued disruptions could result in job losses. “Our airline customers want the service they’ve contracted for,” the company told the Toronto Star on Friday. “A prolonged strike threatens our work at Toronto-Pearson.”

In the meantime, Air Canada flights are expected to face further delays, as the airline wants to “ensure flights are properly catered, even if it takes extra time,” a spokesperson told the Star on Friday.