Know the Facts

LSG Sky Chefs employees are not allowed to strike unless cleared to by the federal government. If employees strike illegally, they could lose their jobs. We, of course, want to avoid this happening to our employees.

Even if the government allows a strike, a strike cannot happen until a 30-day “cooling off” period passes.

The government would not allow a strike while mediation is still happening.

Even if mediation ends, that still does not guarantee the government would allow a strike.

These are the facts. Beware of misleading claims you may see on union websites and elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Could the union call for a strike at any time?
A: No. A government law – the Railway Labor Act – says that employees in the railroad and airline industries cannot strike unless cleared by the government.
Q: How long has the company been negotiating with the union?
A: We have been negotiating since October 2018. We have been in mediation since May 2019.
Q: What is mediation?
A: Because the company and the union could not agree on a deal within a certain time, the law requires us to enter mediation. That means someone who is neither from the company nor the union helps both sides talk to each other. A federal government mediator is present at all negotiations now.
Q: If employees vote to strike, can they?
A: The company has no control over union activities. We can only repeat that no union or employee action — including a call to strike or a vote to strike — allows employees to strike. Employees can only strike when they are cleared to by the government.
Q: Has the union asked the government to let employees strike? If so, what happens next?
A: Yes. But the government denied the union’s request and ruled the company and union must continue negotiating.
Q: What happens if the government clears employees to strike?
A: Even if the government clears employees to strike, the law requires a 30-day “cooling off” period before any strike can start.
Q: Are negotiations at an impasse?
A: No. The mediation process is successful when both sides have a good faith interest in coming to an acceptable solution. The company is committed to mediation and hopes to reach an agreement soon, as it has in the past.
Q: Then where do negotiations stand?
A: Because the government denied the union’s request to be released to strike, the company and union will continue to negotiate.
Q: Did our contract expire?
A: No. The law says the company and union can agree to change the contract starting after a certain date. That date was Dec. 31, 2018. That’s why the two sides have been negotiating.
Q: If a reporter asks me questions about the contract negotiation, what should I say?
A: Politely tell them that you cannot speak for the company. If you like, offer to take their name and phone number and say you’ll give that to the right people at the company. Give the information to your shift manager.
Q: What are key issues on the table?
A: Wages, healthcare and other benefits.

What the Law Says About Employees Striking

LSG Sky Chefs employees are governed by a law called the Railway Labor Act (RLA). The RLA applies to freight and commuter railroads, airlines and other companies directly or indirectly controlled by carriers who perform services related to transportation of freight or passengers and the employees of these railroads, airlines and companies. The RLA is administered by the National Mediation Board, an independent federal agency. The RLA set up a good-faith process for contract talks between companies and employees, including mediation and the ability for a legal strike or lockout.

It was meant to do two main things:

  1. To avoid work stoppages that threaten to substantially interrupt interstate commerce to a degree such as to deprive any section of the country essential transportation services. It makes it the duty of all carriers and their employees to exert every reasonable effort to voluntarily settle disputes.
  2. To maintain the status quo, meaning no strikes or lockouts until all procedures required by the RLA have been fully exhausted, and the federal government grants permission to legally strike.

I started at the LSG Sky Chefs in 1982. My job has helped me to provide for my daughter to go to a four-year university and graduate – she’s the first in our family. This job has also helped me pay off my home, I am extremely thankful for this opportunity.

Alfonso
1st Production Cook, Hot Foods Dept.
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I started at the LSG Sky Chefs in 1982. My job has helped me to provide for my daughter to go to a four-year university and graduate – she’s the first in our family. This job has also helped me pay off my home, I am extremely thankful for this opportunity.

Alfonso
1st Production Cook, Hot Foods Dept.
View More

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