Workers tell City Council they face ‘horrible and unsafe’ conditions at Flying Food Group, urge accountability

Public commenters told the Los Angeles City Council on May 8 that employees at Flying Food Group — the contractor that prepares in-flight meals at Los Angeles International Airport — face unsafe working conditions, harassment and violations of labor rights.

At the podium, Jamila, who identified herself as a member of a worker commission, asked council members to “listen to what we’re saying and to please enforce the reduction of accounts for Flying Food Group,” summarizing a recently published 31-page report produced with input from multiple labor and oversight agencies. Oscar, a dishwasher at the facility, said the workers are “the invisible backbone of air travel” and asked, “what does it mean to welcome the world when those of us serving the guests are denied our basic human rights?”

The report cited by speakers, the commenters said, draws on worker interviews, affidavits and complaints submitted to entities including the Bureau of Contract Administration and the National Labor Relations Board. Speakers described harassment and hazardous conditions on the production floor and asked the City to use its oversight of contractors to seek remedies.

Council members did not take immediate formal action during the meeting on the workers’ requests. The clerk and city attorney explained the limited scope for council action from public comment but recorded the testimony for official minutes. No executive response or staff report was announced at the meeting to address the allegations.

The public commenters asked for concrete next steps: investigation of the allegations, contract review and, if warranted, suspension or reduction of city business with Flying Food Group. The council’s vote calendar later in the meeting proceeded to other agenda items, including a separate settlement approval and routine consent items.

Next steps: The report and public testimony were entered into the record; workers and advocates indicated they will follow up with council offices to request staff reports or hearings that could trigger formal contract oversight or referral to enforcement agencies.