Sky Chefs Healthcare Changes Not ‘Minor Dispute,’ 9th Cir. Says

A hospitality union’s lawsuit against Sky Chefs Inc. over changes to its healthcare offerings that resulted in a wage decrease for some workers isn’t a “minor dispute” under the Railway Labor Act, a federal appeals court said on Monday.

“Although Sky Chefs may unilaterally raise wages under the collective bargaining agreement (the Master National Agreement (MNA)) per the Management Rights provision, Sky Chefs cannot lower wages without negotiation,” The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said in an unpublished memorandum opinion. The court reversed the lower court’s dismissal and remanded for further proceedings.

The airline catering and hospitality ...