Compass Workers at the American Airline Lounges Vote to Authorize a Strike
American Airline Lounge workers employed by Compass Eurest at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport voted 100% to authorize a strike!
Tell Atlantic Street Capital to Bring Back Airport Workers
On November 4th, 2025, GAT/Sky Café, a company owned by Connecticut-based private equity firm Atlantic Street Capital, took over the in-flight catering operations for American Airlines at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This change has resulted in a mass layoff of nearly 200 workers, many of whom dedicated years of service to the airport and the city with the preceding contractor, LSG Sky Chefs. Sky Café failed to rehire many of these skilled workers and would not prioritize their applications for new positions in the exact same jobs as they had before. Take Action!
ABC 15 ARIZONA: Union alleges Sky Chefs employee retaliated against for blowing whistle on unsafe conditions
“Unite Here Local 11 says LSG Sky Chefs employee Filiberto Lares was suspended over a “safety issue” and given a warning. The suspension comes just weeks after Lares complained to city leaders that the AC was not properly functioning in their airline-catering trucks and the same day the union organized a protest at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.”
STRIKE ALERT: Hundreds of Food and Beverage Workers at Sky Harbor Airport Walk Out Over Contract Dispute
Phoenix, AZ – Hundreds of food and beverage workers employed by SSP America at Sky Harbor Airport walk out on strike. Cashiers, cooks, bartenders, servers, dishwashers, and baristas from well-known airport eateries, such as Matt’s Big Breakfast, Pita Jungle, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Four Peaks Brewing Co., are on strike for better wages and benefits and plan to hold picket lines at the terminals.
SSP America is contracted by the City of Phoenix to operate food and beverage concessions at the city-owned airport. The contractor employs over 400 workers in both terminals, both pre-and post-security.
Workers’ collective bargaining agreement with SSP America expired on May 31st. Despite the union’s proposals during negotiations, the company has not made significant movement on much-needed wage increases, health insurance contributions, and working conditions.
Last month, SSP America was also the subject of two complaints with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) reporting what appeared to be rats at Dunkin’ Donuts and cockroaches at Matt’s Big Breakfast and Pei Wei. Per their lease contract with the City of Phoenix, SSP America is responsible for exterminating and preventing the presence of rodents and other vermin within the premises.
In addition, workers filed multiple federal labor charges against SSP America alleging unlawful disciplinary actions, unilateral changes, and unlawful surveillance.
Workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 11, voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike based on the company’s alleged unfair labor practices and inadequate contract offers on September 1st.