Gate Gourmet 'on road to profits'

Last summer's dispute at Heathrow caused extensive disruption

The catering firm that sparked a series of wildcat strikes at Heathrow Airport last summer has said it should break even during its current financial year.

Gate Gourmet UK and Ireland last August sacked 700 staff at the airport in a row over changes to working practices.

The move, which the firm said was vital to help it return to profitability, was quickly followed by a sympathy walkout by British Airways ground staff.

Gate Gourmet eventually reached a deal with the strikers to end the dispute.

Under the agreement, hundreds of the staff accepted the offer of redundancy payments.

'Continuing improvements'

The caterer now employs 881 workers at Heathrow out of a total of 2,361 across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

It said new working practices and better productivity were now continuing to improve its finances.

"There is still a long way to go but we are now seeing real improvements in productivity at Gate Gourmet," said managing director Eric Born.

"The changes we've been making to working practices are clearly paying off.

"Sickness is falling and productivity is rising.

"Of course, we have to keep up the momentum to continually make improvements in both to secure the future of our company and the jobs that go with it."

Last summer's disruption at Heathrow cost British Airways up to £45m.