UNITE HERE Local 11 Calls on City of Los Angeles to Investigate Allegations of Retaliation Against Airline Catering Workers Who Reported Sexual Harassment

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UNITE HERE Local 11, together with the University of California at Irvine’s Law and Organizing Clinic, has filed a complaint calling on the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Contract Administration (BCA) and Human Rights Department to launch a full investigation into Flying Food Group, an airline catering company operating at Los Angeles International Airport, following allegations that the company retaliated against workers who reported sexual harassment and discrimination.

The request follows multiple complaints filed with the California Civil Rights Department by current and former FFG employees alleging sexual harassment by a supervisor and a pattern of management inaction. Three of the workers—Nelly Hernandez, Thelma Cortez Villalta, and Zayra Lopez—also allege that after coming forward, they were subjected to escalating discipline, suspension, and threats of termination.

“These workers did exactly what the law encourages them to do: report harassment and speak up to public officials,” said Susan Minato, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. “Instead of being protected, they appear to have been punished. These women showed courage by speaking out. No worker should have to choose between their job and their right to a workplace free from harassment.”

According to the complaints filed with the Civil Rights Department, the women reported repeated unwanted sexual comments, advances, and inappropriate conduct by a supervisor. They also allege that managers were on notice of the behavior but failed to intervene. After filing complaints and speaking publicly at Los Angeles World Airports meetings and a March 2025 press conference, all three women whistleblowers experienced disciplinary actions that the union alleges were disproportionate, and inconsistent with how other employees are treated.

• Nelly Hernandez received a “final written warning” for alleged work errors despite documented supply shortages and no prior discipline.
• Thelma Cortez Villalta was disciplined twice and placed on an indefinite suspension, losing substantial overtime income, and later informed the company intended to terminate her.
• Zayra Lopez received multiple verbal warnings for attendance and work issues that the union says routinely go unpunished for other employees.

Flying Food Group employs more than 700 workers at its Inglewood facility and operates under City contracts and licenses that prohibit retaliation and require compliance with local, state, and federal labor and civil rights laws.

UNITE HERE Local 11 argues that the timing of the discipline—closely following the workers’ complaints and public testimony—combined with evidence of disparate treatment, raises a strong support for workers’ allegations of unlawful retaliation.

The union is urging the City to:

• Conduct a throughout and transparent investigation into FFG’s treatment of whistleblowers
• Halt any further retaliatory actions
• Enforce City contractor and anti-retaliation protections

In addition, to multiple women having alleged they experienced sexual harassment on the job in pending complaints with California’s antidiscrimination agency. Over the last several years, citations or complaints against Flying Food Group have been issued by five different government agencies, including:

• Cal/OSHA issued a citation against Flying Food Group for five worker safety violations, including a “serious violation” for bolting shut an emergency door from the outside.
• The City of Los Angeles Bureau of Contract Administration has issued six citations against Flying Food Group and its subcontractors for violations of the minimum wage.
• The Labor Commissioner issued a citation for violations of the State’s Right-of-Recall law affecting more than a dozen workers.
• The California Highway Patrol issued a citation against the company for five public safety violations.

Despite these accumulating problems, and despite workers having repeatedly brought these issues to their attention, the mayor-appointed leaders of Los Angeles World Airports (“LAWA”) have not moved to enforce the City’s requirements for city licensees with respect to Flying Food Group.

UNITE HERE Local 11 is more than 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona who work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers, and airports

Contacts

PRESS CONTACT: Maria Hernandez | 623-340-8047 | mhernandez@unitehere11.org