Gate Gourmet International - Framework Agreement Reached with TGWU

Gate Gourmet International - Framework Agreement Reached with TGWU: "London, Aug. 25 2005 -- Gate Gourmet London (Heathrow) is pleased to report tonight that the Transport and General Workers Union, assisted by the Trades Union Congress, has agreed to a nonbinding framework, proposed by Gate Gourmet.

The framework will allow the company to address its ongoing staffing needs in a way that is fair to all employees, adopt necessary work rule changes, and stem the losses that have put the company on the brink of administration.

In the next few days, we expect to launch a voluntary redundancy program, open to current employees as well as those dismissed for their illegal strike actions on Aug. 10, aimed at reducing our workforce to levels agreed upon by the union that will make the company economically viable. This is the same level agreed upon by unions last June. The voluntary program could be followed by a compulsory redundancy program. The company, at its discretion, may accept or decline these requests for redundancy. Our duty is to protect our 1,400 workers who have stood by us during this time. "