BRITISH Airways wants the keys to Gate Gourmet’s loading trucks so it can avoid a repeat of last summer’s Heathrow crisis, when wildcat strikes grounded 700 flights.
A spokeswoman revealed the flag carrier is working on “a number of contingency plans” including getting access to and training its own staff how to use its sole caterer’s airside loaders.
If Gate Gourmet staff were to walk-out again in unofficial strikes, this back-up plan would ensure BA could load its jets with food and supplies, she said.
“Gate Gourmet prepares our food but, just as importantly, it offers important logistical support including loading cutlery, first-aid kits and toilet paper. Because we can’t use its equipment and don’t have staff trained to operate it, that’s how we ended up in the position last summer,” she said.
The biggest problem on August 10 last year was not actually a lack of food, but the fact there was no way of loading meals onto BA aircraft, added the spokeswoman.
Worryingly, Gate Gourmet’s vice-president Richard Wells has not ruled-out staff walk-outs in summer 2006, when he spoke to Travel Weekly last week.
“There is no reason it should happen again this summer because of the changes we’ve since made, but you can never say never,” Wells said.
Gate Gourmet sacked 800 staff after the unofficial walkout. It has since re-employed 252. The unofficial industrial action – sparked by Gate Gourmet’s decision to recruit 30 seasonal workers – triggered a wildcat strike by hundreds of BA baggage handlers and ground staff.
At least 100,000 passengers has flights cancelled or delayed by the Heathrow crisis.
Ten of Gate Gourmet’s 19-strong human resources team has since quit, according to Wells.
“Half the team have left or are leaving, but you can’t blame them. It’s been an exhausting six months.”