Flying Food Group (FFG) issued a statement urging UNITE HERE Local 11 to put an end to “unlawful” and “disruptive” tactics snarling holiday travel at Los Angeles International Airport. The company emphasized its good-faith bargaining over three years and compliance with safety standards through audits and inspections. The statement was made following a protest on November 25, near LAX during peak Thanksgiving travel, as captured in social media posts and local news coverage.
“Flying Food Group is aware of last night’s unlawful demonstration by a small number of UNITE HERE representatives, which disrupted travelers at LAX and misrepresented conditions inside our facilities,” the company said in a statement to Sky Industry News.
“FFG has bargained in good faith with union representatives for more than three years, and independent audits as well as government inspections consistently confirm that our operations meet or exceed all safety and compliance standards. We urge UNITE HERE to end these disruptive tactics and return to constructive negotiations so we can reach a fair agreement for our employees.”
According to ABC11, UNITE HERE blocked traffic and prevented travelers and airport employees from entering the airport early Wednesday morning. The union claims they were protesting unsafe working conditions at Flying Food Group, claims the company strongly denies and says are a tactic aimed at forcing concessions in stalled contract negotiations.
Coverage of the protest describes hundreds of UNITE HERE union members blocking key access roads and causing major delays on one of the busiest travel days of the year, prompting widespread frustration from passengers whose holiday plans were disrupted. Public backlash online has focused less on the underlying allegations and more on the union’s decision to choke off airport traffic, with critics arguing that punishing travelers is an unreasonable pressure tactic.
UNITE HERE Local 11, part of the larger UNITE HERE international union, has organized similar protests at other airports and has been criticized for undemocratic practices and aggressive organizing tactics, as reported by Labor Notes and The New York Times. The National Right to Work Foundation has documented charges against the union from workers alleging coercive tactics, intimidation, and retaliation against employees who object to its hard-line strategy.
According to information provided by FFG, the company recently put forward a final proposal to the union that includes significant wage increases for Cooks, Coordinators, and Drivers—positions that have not received raises only because the union rejected past offers while a successor contract remained pending. FFG says it has also offered ratification bonuses of up to $2,500 for employees if an agreement is finalized by December 8. Despite these efforts, the company said union negotiators arrived at the latest session with new, regressive proposals that pushed talks backward. Independent audits and government inspections have reportedly affirmed the company’s adherence to safety protocols, supporting their claim of exceeding standards.
Flying Food Group (FFG) is one of the nation’s largest airline catering companies, providing meal production and on-airport food service for major domestic and international carriers. The Chicago-based company operates kitchens in key airport markets and employs thousands of culinary and logistics workers who prepare, package and deliver in-flight meals each day. FFG supports airlines across a range of service needs, including premium cabins, international routes and specialized dietary programs.
