How much does the “free” soda your airline gives you actually cost? What about that bag of pretzels or the inflight meal? If your airline is catered by LSG Sky Chefs, it might cost the people who got those things onto your plane the dignity of getting paid what they’re owed for their hard work.

LSG Sky Chefs, a prominent global catering service provider to major airlines, has come under scrutiny for allegedly engaging in unfair labor practices. Employees have reported instances of wage theft at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Sky Chefs flight kitchen, where they claim that their wages were docked for break times whether or not they were given 30 minutes free from all job duties, resulting in significant financial distress for many workers and their families. 

This is not merely a matter of individual loss; it represents a systemic issue that undermines the dignity and rights of laborers at RDU and LSG Sky Chefs locations across the globe. It’s also business-as-usual at Sky Chefs.*

Wage theft is a violation of federal and state labor laws, as well as the employees’ union contract, and is considered a form of exploitation. Workers who provide essential services deserve to be compensated fairly for their labor without fear of deception or unfair practices. 

In addition to wage concerns, there have been allegations regarding inadequate workplace safety measures. Reports suggest that some workers are operating in environments that do not meet safety standards, potentially exposing them to hazards that could lead to injury or health issues. Ensuring safety is a basic responsibility of every employer, and neglecting this duty can have severe consequences for employees' well-being.

We urge LSG Sky Chefs to take immediate action to correct these injustices. Firstly, they must conduct a thorough internal investigation to identify and address any discrepancies in wages. An independent audit should be conducted to ensure transparency and fairness in the compensation process. Furthermore, LSG Sky Chefs should repay all stolen wages to affected employees without delay, alongside providing appropriate compensation for any harm caused by these unpaid wages.

Secondly, LSG Sky Chefs must review and enhance their safety protocols to ensure a secure working environment for all employees. This can be achieved by adhering strictly to OSHA standards and conducting regular safety drills and evaluations in collaboration with safety experts.

By signing this petition, you are calling on LSG Sky Chefs to uphold ethical labor practices and prioritize the rights and safety of their workers. Your support is crucial in holding them accountable and ensuring justice for those affected. Help us bring about change for the betterment of all employees within the catering industry—sign this petition and stand in solidarity with the workers.

LSG Sky Chefs’ RDU employees are represented by Unite Here Local 23, though they are prevented by the Railway Labor Act from striking, picketing, or taking any other economic action against the company. This petition is not sponsored or endorsed by Unite Here (or any other labor union), any corporation or special interest group, or any other public or private organization. It is a grassroots effort to pressure LSG Sky Chefs to pay its employees fair wages and provide safe working conditions. 

*http://unitehere.org/wp-content/uploads/SkyChefsWageTheft.pdf​

https://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/08/lsg-sky-chefs-denver-international-airport-minimum-wage/