The drivers who deliver the inflight meals to many of the planes flying out of London Heathrow have called a five-day strike starting Wednesday over schedule changes that leave them working five to six weeks between weekends off.
The unionized workers and the company have been negotiating without success for several months. The company, a $300 million joint venture of Emirates and Lufthansa, says “New roster patterns are required to meet the operational needs of our current business and are based on flight schedules.”
The union sees it differently: “The new rosters are taking a heavy toll on the workers’ wellbeing. The company are treating workers with contempt by trying to force them to work an extra 12 weekends a year. It’s an attack on family life and the drivers are fighting back. They are getting shorter rest breaks, plus increased workloads are piling pressure on the workforce.”
So, if you’re flying from or through Heathrow, be prepared. At Heathrow, the company serves 29 airlines, including Air Canada, Air China, Emirates, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Qantas, American Airlines, Etihad and Singapore Airlines. Heathrow says it has contingency plans, but hasn’t said what they are. Cheese-and-pickle sandwiches, anyone?
