Gate Gourmet locked-out workers were campaigning yesterday on Southall Broadway near Heathrow Airport for their public meeting on Sunday November 5th.
The meeting is being held at Southall Community Centre, Merrick Rd, from 3pm to 5pm on the eve of the workers’ initial employment tribunal hearing the following week.
The locked out workers got great support on the busy high street.
Kiran Gill donated money to their dispute fund. She said: ‘I worked for Swissport UK at Heathrow Terminal 3. One morning we went to work and there was no job – over 1,000 of us, out with no money.
‘We didn’t get paid until after six months.
‘And then I only got £250 because I was part time, although I’d worked there for two years.
‘And we were treated like criminals. When we went to work that day, they took our IDs off us and wouldn’t even let us go to our lockers.
‘That’s why I really support you. Because what happened to you also happened to me.’
Thomas Murphy bought his ticket for the meeting.
He told News Line: ‘I was a porter or concierge, taking luggage up and taking it down, at Ariel Hotel at Heathrow from 1973 until 1990.
‘During those years, management tried to make me work nights, although my contract said day work.
‘They tried to penalise me and bully me,’ he alleged.
‘At the end of it they unfairly dismissed me.
‘I was in the GMB union but they pulled out of representing me.
‘I got someone from the Free Representation Unit and we won my unfair dismissal claim at the employment tribunal.
‘I’m now in the T&G, driving handicapped children. I support the Gate Gourmet workers, having been a victim myself.
‘There’s a lot of bullying and victimisation going on. I will be coming to the meeting.’
Charing Cross Hospital nurse, Noriane Singh said: ‘The NHS is being destroyed, they want you to work so hard and keep your mouth shut.
‘The union should organise a general strike to defend the NHS.
‘I remember seeing all about the Gate Gourmet struggle on the TV one year ago. I hope they win.
‘Sometimes I work seven days a week, today is my first day off for one week.
‘I hope I am off on the fifth, so I can come.’