A massive layoff at San Francisco International Airport just became the largest workforce reduction in California this year, yet nearly all 835 affected catering employees could keep their paychecks with a rival company.
Gate Gourmet, which prepares and delivers in-flight meals for multiple carriers at SFO, filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification with the state’s Employment Development Department on Wednesday. The notice confirms the jobs vanish by May. California law requires companies to give 60 days advance warning when cutting more than 50 positions.
The upheaval stems from United Airlines shifting its catering strategy. Gate Gourmet’s biggest contract had been with United, and a company spokesperson acknowledged that the airline’s new direction forced operational changes. However, Gate Gourmet still holds contracts with other carriers.
Meanwhile, a competitor stands ready to absorb most of the displaced workforce. Ted Waechter, spokesperson for Unite Here Local 2, which represents more than 15,000 hospitality workers including the Gate Gourmet staff, said the union negotiated an agreement with LSG Sky Chefs to bring on roughly 800 employees while preserving their wages and healthcare benefits.
“It’s unclear how many will go to Sky Chefs and who will stay with Gate Gourmet,” Waechter said during a phone call. “Approximately 800 people, an overwhelming majority of workers, will continue at Gate Gourmet or transition to Sky Chefs.”
Kimberly Plaskett, spokesperson for LSG Sky Chefs, confirmed via email that the company plans to hire personnel that “includes former employees of Gate Gourmet.”
Waechter stressed the punishing nature of the work, often overlooked by travelers. The job demands precision and speed because planes operate on unforgiving departure schedules. Getting meal orders correct requires both skill and endurance under intense time pressure.
The union agreement ensures continuity for workers caught between two corporate catering rivals. As Gate Gourmet shrinks its SFO footprint, LSG Sky Chefs stands to gain an experienced, battle-tested workforce without starting from scratch.
