IUF, ITF working together to defend rights and lift standards in airline catering

The IUF and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) jointly convened an international trade union meeting in Baltimore, USA November 15-16 on organizing to raise standards in airline catering.  U.S. affiliates Unite Here and the IBT (Teamsters) hosted the meeting, which was addressed by Unite Here President D Taylor (pictured).

Union activists from across the United States reported on their struggles to improve wages, job security and health and safety in airline kitchens and catering logistics and build solidarity through a campaign directed at the two global giants of airline catering, LSG Skychefs and Gate Gourmet. Other U.S.-based aviation unions pledged support, including through pushing airline companies to release sufficient funds in contract tendering to lift wages in the sector.

IUF and ITF affiliates from Argentina, Denmark, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, India and New Zealand joined with U.S. unions to build international union links within LSG Skychefs and Gate Gourmet.  A wider group of affiliates will be invited to participate in the establishment of an international union airline catering alliance.

The IUF pledged  support for the coordinated U.S. campaign and will develop a set of organizing principles to extend the campaign beyond North America.