UNITE HERE Local 11: As LAX Welcomes the World, Los Angeles “Truth Commission” Report Documents Systemic Labor Abuses at Airline Caterer Flying Food Group
Report on City licensee documents fire safety hazards, wage theft, sexual harassment allegations, and retaliation allegations as City Leaders consider license renewal
With mega-events set to bring tens of millions of visitors through Los Angeles International Airport, a new report endorsed by a distinguished panel of community and labor leaders documents a pattern of serious labor violations at Flying Food Group, an airline catering company that operates under a special license from the City of Los Angeles. The workers at Flying Food Group are represented by UNITE HERE Local 11.
The Report of the Los Angeles Truth Commission on Labor Abuses at Flying Food Group is based on often emotional testimony from fifteen FFG workers and extensive evidence presented at a public hearing convened on April 13, 2026. The Commission was convened as the City considers whether to renew the company’s license next month.
Chaired by Yvonne Wheeler, President of the 800,000-member Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the Commission also includes Frank Lima, General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Firefighters; Reverend William Smart Jr., President and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Chloe Osmer, Executive Director of the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund; and Kevin Riley, Director of the UCLA Labor Occupational Safety and Health Program (who participated in his personal capacity).
