Union leader Lorraine Powell addresses contract struggles of airline catering workers at SFO

The San Francisco County government meeting on July 4, 2025, focused on critical issues affecting airline catering workers, particularly those represented by Unite Here Local 2, including Sky Chef and Gate Gourmet employees. The meeting highlighted the ongoing struggle for these workers, who have been without a contract for an extended period.

Lorraine Powell from Unite Here Local 2 addressed the panel, emphasizing the challenges faced by approximately 2,000 airline catering workers at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Powell noted that many workers have been with their companies for over 20 years but still earn wages barely above the Quality Service Program (QSP) rate. This situation has made it difficult for employers to retain staff, as the wages do not reflect the long-term service of these employees.

A significant point of discussion was the relationship between the city’s Minimum Compensation Ordinance (MCO) and the airport's QSP. It was clarified that the QSP wage is consistently set at 50 cents above the city’s MCO, which is adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This connection means that any increase in the city’s MCO will automatically raise the QSP wage, providing some assurance for workers regarding their compensation.

Vice Chair Mandelmann expressed concern over airlines suing the city to reduce health care benefits for low-wage workers, highlighting the negative implications for those who continued to work through the pandemic. The sentiment was echoed by other panel members, who criticized the airlines for their treatment of essential workers.

The meeting concluded with a call for updates on the status of negotiations with airline catering companies, as Powell indicated that bargaining has been ongoing for over five years without a successful contract. The discussion underscored the urgent need for resolution to ensure fair wages and health care for these essential workers, who play a vital role in the airline industry.