Following majority votes at kitchens around the country, UNITE HERE members who work at LSG Sky Chefs have approved a new collective bargaining agreement that covers more than 7,000 in-flight catering workers. The new contract terms will be in effect until 2015.

The agreement comes at the successful conclusion of federally-mediated negotiations and makes significant improvements to wages, the cost of health care, and to job security language.

"It took a lot of time and a lot of effort to get to this point but I feel very proud of what we won in this contract," says Antonio Reyes, a member of the bargaining committee from the kitchen in Dallas, Texas, who has worked at Sky Chefs for 16 years. "We reached an agreement that works for us and for Sky Chefs, and we will remain united across the country to make sure that we are even stronger for the next agreement."

Sky Chefs workers will receive hourly wage increases over the three years of the contract that will total as high as $1.40 per hour, depending on hire date, plus a one-time ratification bonus ranging from $250 to $1000.

The agreement also stipulates a shorter timetable for the next round of negotiations when the contract again becomes amendable in 2015.

Nationwide, UNITE HERE represents nearly 10,000 in-flight catering workers at LSG Sky Chefs and at Gate Gourmet. UNITE HERE represents over 250,000 workers throughout the U.S. and Canada who work in the hotel, gaming, food service and airport industries.

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