Gate Gourmet on the naughty list as airline catering workers in Ottawa vote in favour of holiday strike action
UPDATE: Workers voted 35 to 5 on Thursday, December 11, to reject a so-called final offer from Gate Gourmet. Barring a last minute agreement, workers at Gate Gourmet will be going on strike at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 14.
Ottawa, December 9, 2025 – Around 50 workers at Gate Gourmet in Ottawa could go on strike as early as 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, December 14, warns Teamsters Local Union 647. The workers cook, package and deliver meals, snacks, beverages, and other supplies to planes for in-flight service.
A work stoppage could disrupt holiday travel, leaving most flights out of Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport without food or beverages service.
“Gate Gourmet is playing Scrooge with Christmas around the corner. We have members working multiple jobs to keep up with the cost of living, struggling in our nation’s capital. Meanwhile, the company cashes in with every plane that leaves the ground,” said the national president of Teamsters Canada, François Laporte.
“Here’s the kicker. On top of feeding regular travellers, our members also prepping food for private government jets. The people feeding Ottawa’s elite decision makers shouldn’t struggle to feed their own families. We will not accept poverty wages so that others may travel like kings,” added the president of Teamsters Local Union 647, Martin Cerqua.
Most workers at Gate Gourmet in Ottawa are paid between $17.74 and $19.77 per hour, well below Ottawa’s living wage. Moreover, they earn roughly $5 less than their colleagues at the same company, doing the same work, in Calgary. Closing that gap is a central union demand.
The company also refuses to provide full-time hours to long-serving employees, despite work being available, relying instead on a part-time scheduling scheme. The practice leaves employees with more than 30 years of experience scrambling to work two, sometimes three jobs. The company has rejected union proposals that would resolve this issue.
“All we want for Christmas is a living wage. This company can afford to do the right thing, whether or not they care about workers, their families, and passengers is another story. If folks go hungry at this time of year, either at home or on a plane, it’ll be because Gate Gourmet chose profits over people,” said Cerqua.
Gate Gourmet is the largest airline catering company operating out of Ottawa. Airlines affected by a possible strike include Air Canada, West Jet, Sunwing, Air France and Canada North. Private jet service, including government VIP flights, would also be impacted.
Workers unanimously voted in favour of strike action in October. The current collective agreement expires on December 10, 2025.
Teamsters Local Union 647 represents approximately 3,000 food industry workers across Ontario. Teamsters Canada represents 135,000 members.
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Media requests:
Christopher Monette
Director of Public Affairs
Teamsters Canada
Cell. : 514-226-6002
[email protected]
