Khalsa joins anti-Gate Gourmet march

12.41.21am GMT Mon 5th Dec 2005

Satnam Kaur Khalsa on Gate Gourmet demo, Sunday 4 December 2005

Hounslow Liberal Democrats Mrs Satnam Kaur Khalsa and Mr Harjinder Singh today joined the demo in Southall against Gate Gourmet. Over 500 people took part in the demo, including the 130 women who worked for Gate Gourmet but have been suspended since 10 August 2005. Gate Gourmet appear to have decided that these 130 employees are 'radicals' and will not re-employ them.

Mrs Satnam Kaur Khalsa said:

"Gate Gourmet should be ashamed of their heavy-handed tactics. Gate Gourmet talk about compromise but it is empty words when they unfairly sack 130 women.

Harjinder Singh, who is also a chaplain at Heathrow commented:

"Gate Gourmet have a duty to provide fair wages and proper working conditions for its employees. British Airways is Gate Gourmet's biggest client and BA has a duty to ensure Gate Gourmet meets its obligations to its employees."

Liberal Democrat Hounslow campaigner Andrew Dakers added:

"No one wants to eat food and fly on an airline that has questionable supply chain standards. If BA wants to avoid a repeat of last summer's chaos, Gate Gourmet must earn back the confidence of employees and the local community.

"Under their new Chief Executive it would be good to see British Airways pioneer an employee owned social enterprise that develops a high quality work force and delivers great in flight meals."