A group of employees with a national airport catering company say a new operating protocol is putting worker safety at risk at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Catering truck drivers and other employees at LSG Sky Chefs, which provides food and beverages for airlines like Delta and United, say they were told last year by management that trucks would only be manned by one driver, known as single operator catering or SOC. Previously, two drivers were assigned to one truck. Employees say the decision has made them feel less safe at work.
Workers and members of their union leadership, UNITE HERE Local 17, said one person has already been injured following the switch to single operator catering, when the worker was crushed by his truck after it rolled over him. He underwent multiple surgeries on his leg.
“I know that his accident would not have happened if it was not for SOC,” said Habtom Weldegiorgis, a driver with LSG Sky Chefs. “They all talk about safety, but they care about the safety of the aircraft, and then delays — not about the safety of us.”
On Monday, workers gathered with Attorney General Keith Ellison and other officials outside the airport to call attention to the safety concerns.
“The safety of the worker is critically important and must not be sacrificed to the needs of profitability,” Ellison said.
Airline catering workers load delivery trucks, navigate across airport tarmacs and work on lifts high off the ground to cater flights. UNITE HERE, which represents 500 LSG Sky Chefs workers at MSP and 10,000 nationwide, said a driver fell to his death in 2024 in Sacramento.
LSG Sky Chefs did not respond to MPR News’ request for comment.
Members of the Metropolitan Aviation Commission will conduct an inspection of the Sky Chef facilities at the airport later this week.
