PEARSON CATERER REACHES DEAL

Food service workers are returning to return to work at Pearson Airport after ratifying an agreement with airline caterer Gate Gourmet nearly two weeks after walking off the job, meaning travellers through Toronto will soon find a full menu option on flights once again.

Gate Gourmet said operations would return to normal “as soon as possible.”

About 800 catering workers at Toronto’s Pearson airport went on strike on April 16, leaving thousands of passengers without meals.

The employees cook, package, and deliver food and beverages to planes for service on board, with Air Canada and WestJet having to limit meal offerings after the job action.

The deal comes after Ontario mediators called the picketing workers back to the table Friday for talks with the Swiss-owned Gate Gourmet.

When the strike kicked off, Air Canada said short-haul flights would be most affected. Economy-class customers on flights under two hours would receive a pretzel or cookie along with water, while those in business class would not enjoy their usual hot meal service, the airline said.

WestJet said two weeks ago that flights operating through Pearson on Boeing 737 planes – the vast majority of its fleet – may experience “an inconsistent food or beverage offering.”

Gate Gourmet is the largest airline catering company operating out of Toronto, with clients that include Air Canada, WestJet, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.