The decision was adopted during a meeting of the Civil Aviation Section of the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), after representatives from FFG workers and the union UNITE HERE presented details regarding their ongoing campaign for a collective bargaining agreement.
According to the resolution, FFG workers have been seeking a collective bargaining agreement for more than five years. The workers provide airline catering services for several European airlines operating at LAX and SFO airports.
The move follows a visit to Berlin by a delegation from UNITE HERE Local 11, supported by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), to raise concerns with European airlines including Lufthansa, Air France and Virgin Atlantic regarding alleged labour violations within the supplier’s operations.
An independent report prepared by labour law experts Deborah Greenfield, former Deputy Director-General of the ILO, and Lance Compa, Senior Lecturer Emeritus at Cornell’s ILR School, reportedly found that alleged breaches by FFG spanned several categories of ILO core labour standards.
According to the unions, several U.S. government agencies have issued citations or complaints against Flying Food Group in recent years relating to minimum wage issues, workplace hazards, employment protections and alleged interference with workers’ organising rights.
The statement also references pending sexual harassment complaints filed by seven women, including allegations of retaliation.
In January 2026, during a fire at one of the facilities, two workers were allegedly found inside a cooler room whose entrance door had reportedly been chained shut from the outside.
The ETF resolution states that outsourced services should not diminish airlines’ responsibility regarding working conditions within their supply chains.
The resolution commits participating unions to stand in solidarity with FFG workers, mobilise practical support and remind airlines of their ethical, legal and industrial responsibilities.
The unions involved represent workers at airlines sourcing catering services from FFG at LAX and SFO, including Lufthansa, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, Austrian Airlines, Polish Airlines, KLM, ITA Airways, Scandinavian SAS, TAP Air Portugal and Cargolux.
Elisa Valencia, an employee at Flying Food Group, said: “No one should have to endure the kinds of unsafe and abusive conditions we have endured at Flying Food Group preparing food for wealthy airlines. We have often felt invisible, but today our European trade union colleagues are helping us to be seen and to hold these airlines accountable.”
Josef Maurer, Head of Aviation and Maritime at the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), stated: “European airlines that rely on Flying Food Group for catering services cannot ignore the conditions faced by workers within their supply chains. Outsourcing is not a means of avoiding ethical, legal or industrial responsibilities towards workers. We stand in full solidarity with the workers and their union, UNITE HERE, in their pursuit of justice, dignity and a fair agreement. We also commit to mobilising civil aviation unions across Europe to provide practical solidarity and support to help bring this dispute to a resolution.”
Bilal Malkawi, ITF Director of Civil Aviation and Tourism, added: “All airlines have a responsibility to ensure that the workers who make their business possible are treated with respect and dignity. They must engage with their service providers like Flying Food Group to ensure they meet these expectations. In Europe and across the world, aviation unions take human rights seriously – and we will ensure they apply to everyone. We applaud the courage of FFG workers and their union UNITE HERE and we are going to support them until they win.
Tags: Josef Maurer European Transport Workers’ Federation Bilal Malkawi Elisa Valencia, Flying Food Group International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF)
