Thousands of Airline Catering Workers Seek OK to Strike

The U.S. aviation industry is inching closer to a massive strike of the workers that keep planes stocked with food and water.

UNITE HERE—which solely represents 11,000 airline catering workers at LSG Sky Chefs—asked a government agency July 26 for formal approval to be released from mediation. If approved, the union would be allowed to strike.

More than 25,000 catering employees may eventually go on strike. UNITE HERE also represents employees at caterer Gate Gourmet as part of a joint national contract with the Teamsters and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. No filing for request of release ...