British Airways Food Service Sacks Large Number of Sikh Employees

August 28, 2005

Source: The Panthic Weekly

http://www.panthic.org/news/124/ARTICLE/1708/2005-08-28.html?sid=cb65c098d83b162ca7354c01b13d40ee

On August 28, 2005 The Panthic Weekly reported, "British Airways catering company Gate Gourmet [sacked] over 670 workers a large majority originating from the Sikh community...The workers walked away from an unofficial strike action as they said they were being bullied by management into taking pay cuts. Reports have been made of racism against the Sikh workers who have said Gate Gourmet staff made racist comments like, 'You can buy a lot with this much money in India.' This was said to a Sikh woman who had been [living] in Britain for over 20 years... A political and community message was sent this week to British Airways, the government and the catering company Gate Gourmet by the Transport and General Workers Unions via its General Secretary Tony Woodley. The company now says it will be forced into administration if negotiations over a contract settlement with British Airways fails. Union officials told the 670 plus mainly Sikh low paid workers, a significant number of whom are women, that the union is determined to keep fighting for justice and is commited to use all avenues open to get the workers’ reinstated."