British Airways passengers could be left without food and drink on flights from Gatwick due to new strike action
Drivers from the catering firm Alpha Flight have voted in favour of strike action, which will take place later this month
PASSENGERS flying with British Airways later this month could be left without any food or water on their flight.
Drivers working for Alpha Flight, who are the sole supplier of food for British Airways at a number of airports in the UK, including Gatwick, have voted in favour of strike action against the catering company to take place in March.
The dispute is regarding a disagreement over pay, with drivers claiming they are paid below the rate for other HGV drivers in the area, .
With the company being unable to transport as much food to the warehouse to serve British Airways flights, it could result in a shortage of meals on board.
For the 55 drivers involved, an overtime ban from 3am on March 18 will take place until 11:59pm on March 22.
The official strike will then take place from 3am on March 27 to 11:59pm on March 28.
In the statement from Unite, regional officer Jamie Major said it was an "unfair situation" for the drivers to be paid below the market rate and strike action could only be avoided if Alpha Flight offered them a fair pay offer.
He said: “British Airways passengers who find that their flights are lacking food and water have to understand that their comfort has been compromised directly by the penny pinching of Alpha Flight."
Richard Wood, UK Sales and Marketing Director of Alpha LSG which owns Alpha Flight, said they are to meet with Unite regarding the strike, after claiming staff agreed on a pay deal last year.
He told Sun Online Travel: "We don’t believe there is a dispute which warrants industrial action.
"We have informed the union of this and are scheduled to meet with representatives of Unite to find a satisfactory resolution."
A British Airways spokesperson told Sun Online Travel: "We are working with our supplier to ensure our customers continue to enjoy all services onboard their flights."
Alpha Flight renewed their contract with British Airways in 2009, supplying food for flights with a ten-year deal.
This will be replaced by French catering firm Newrest in 2020.
The airline uses a number of different catering services at airports - London Heathrow previously used Gate Gourmet, although this will change next year to Do&Co.
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