Gate Gourmet, Union Agree Framework In Jobs Row

Gate Gourmet, Union Agree Framework In Jobs Row: "British Airways caterer Gate Gourmet said on Thursday it had reached a framework accord with union chiefs aimed at ending a long-running dispute.
The troubled catering company said it expects to launch a voluntary redundancy program in the next few days for staff, including hundreds sacked earlier this month.
The caterer said those sacked can apply for voluntary redundancy under the outline agreement reached on Thursday.
'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,' Gate Gourmet said.
The company said it would be forced to make compulsory redundancies if not enough people opt to leave their jobs. It did not say how many staff must go.
More than 100,000 BA passengers were stranded earlier this month when some of the airline's ground staff at London's Heathrow Airport went on strike in sympathy with hundreds of workers sacked by Gate Gourmet.
Since then, unions have held talks with Gate Gourmet over the sacked workers and the fate of current staff.
The Transport & General Workers Union described the framework pact as a 'significant' step and said talks would resume next week.
'After a constructive meeting we have made initial progress toward resolving (the) problems... with an outline of how to go forward that would apply to all workers,' TGWU National Secretary Brendan Gold said.
BA has offered Gate Gourmet improved terms and a contract extension of two years to 2010, but no deal has been signed.
Gate Gourmet resumed delivery of hot meals for BA's outbound long-haul flights from London's Heathrow Airport on Monday after a lapse of more than a week.
Gate Gourmet has lost money since "