BBC NEWS | Business | Hopes grow over Gate Gourmet deal

BBC NEWS | Business | Hopes grow over Gate Gourmet deal: "British Airways and union officials have said they are more confident of reaching successful agreements with in-flight caterer Gate Gourmet.
Their comments came as talks continued over an improved BA deal for Gate Gourmet, and the reinstatement of 670 sacked workers at the caterer.
Gate Gourmet says it faces collapse in the UK unless it gets a better contract from BA by 1700 BST.
The Transport and General Workers' Union wants all 670 staff re-employed.
Working practices
As twin talks continue ahead of Tuesday's deadline between BA and Gate Gourmet on the one hand, and the caterer and the T&G on the other, unnamed sources suggested that the airline had further improved its new contract offer for Gate Gourmet.
At the moment, Gate Gourmet is not a viable commercial organisation and so administration has to be a real probability

Andy Cook, Gate Gourmet


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Q&A: Heathrow dispute
While BA said it could not comment on the new terms of the proposed deal, a spokeswoman said the firm was 'more confident a deal could be struck'.
Gate Gourmet says BA has offered to pay more money for its meals, but the airline has insisted there will be no deal unless Gate Gourmet changes its working practices.
There has also been press speculation that senior government officials have been unofficially putting pressure on both BA and Gate Gourmet to secure a successful deal. "