ABSTRACT
This was previously outlined in Chapter 1. In 1997, British Airways (BA) outsourced its in-flight catering provision to a US-owned company called Gate Gourmet. This company employed several hundred staff, largely living near London’s Heathrow Airport. The workforce was drawn from various ethnic groups, especially Asian groups. Many were former BA employees. Gate Gourmet recognized trade unions, in particular the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU). The contract was a long one and, importantly, BA sourced all its in-flight meals from Gate Gourmet. The contract was due to be renegotiated during the spring of 2005. Profit margins were always low, and by 2005 Gate Gourmet’s Heathrow operations were running at a significant loss. Its parent company, Texas Pacific remained highly profitable.
