Two strikes and you're out at LSG Sky Chefs

Airline caterer LSG Sky Chefs has sacked 240 workers from its kitchen at London's Heathrow Airport after they staged two 24-hour strikes over pay and new working practices.

The firm is now locked in a bitter dispute with the Transport & General Workers' Union (TGWU) which is threatening worldwide action unless the workers are reinstated.

LSG Sky Chefs said the union was demanding a 25% pay rise. The union's regional organiser, Alan Green, said negotiators had put in pay claims, but these were only bargaining positions.

LSG Sky Chefs general manager Tim Ottridge said the dismissal notices were issued with great reluctance, because of the union's intransigence.

Sacked workers were picketing the kitchen this week and LSG Sky Chefs claimed those still working had been abused and intimidated. Workers had received threatening phone calls, and one had a missile thrown through her window, it alleged.

Green said the company had offered no proof of the incidents, but if true then the union would condemn them.