Low-Paid Workers Negotiate Contract Gains with Delaware North and LSG Sky Chefs

Unite Here, a union representing low-paid workers in the airline industry, has successfully negotiated a favorable contract for approximately 10,000 catering workers after a rare release from mediation with Gate Gourmet. Currently, the union is in negotiations with Delaware North and LSG Sky Chefs, two food service providers in the airline sector. Delaware North, which operates airport concessions, employs around 2,700 workers and reported $4 billion in revenues in 2022. With the current contract set to expire on October 31, there is a significant risk of labor disruptions at various airports if negotiations do not yield satisfactory results. Surveys conducted among Delaware North workers reveal alarming financial struggles, with many unable to afford housing and food. The National Low Income Housing Coalition indicates that in 2024, workers would need to allocate over half of their wages to afford a two-bedroom apartment. This financial strain has led to a majority of workers at Fort Lauderdale and Austin airports voting to authorize a strike, with similar actions expected at other locations. In contrast, LSG Sky Chefs, a competitor of Gate Gourmet, has not yet received a release from mediation. The recent contract with Gate Gourmet included significant improvements such as a nationwide minimum wage increase to $17 per hour and enhanced healthcare benefits. Unite Here advocates for fair wages and quality healthcare for all airline catering workers, emphasizing the need for equitable treatment in the industry. Both Delaware North and LSG Sky Chefs have expressed commitment to negotiating in good faith, but the urgency of the situation highlights the precarious position of these workers as they seek better working conditions and compensation.