Nicholas Rondeau, Vice President of Air Sales and Marketing at Flying Food Group, addressed claims made by the Unite Here Local 1 union regarding health care coverage for employees at the company’s Schiller Park facility. In a letter to Air France, Rondeau said that the assertion that employees lack health care is “patently false,” noting that all workers are offered Affordable Care Act (ACA)-compliant plans and access to a free onsite clinic.
“Unite Here’s claim that Flying Food Group employees lack access to health insurance is patently false,” said Rondeau, Executive Vice President of Air Sales and Marketing. “All ORD employees can choose from multiple health plans, and for the past 15 years, the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Trust has also funded a free onsite health clinic, staffed by Rush University nurses, available to all employees regardless of their insurance status.”
According to flyers distributed by Unite Here Local 1 throughout Chicago, “47% of surveyed FFG workers do not have health insurance.” In response, Rondeau called this claim “a false allegation,” emphasizing that all employees are provided with options for health care coverage in compliance with the ACA. He explained that workers can choose to opt out or receive coverage through a spouse and highlighted the availability of three medical plans with varying coverage options.
Rondeau expressed concerns over the flyer being used as leverage in collective bargaining negotiations. He said, “We believe that this flyer was designed to pressure Flying Food to agree to the Unite Here health plan.” The company has resisted switching to the union’s plan due to reported issues such as poor service and limited access experienced by employees at its Inglewood, California facility. Complaints included denied care and enrollment failures under Unite Here Local 11’s plan.
The letter also referenced a free onsite health clinic operated by Rush University College of Nursing, which has been serving employees for 15 years. Sheila Leen, a nurse at the Rush FFG Health Clinic at O’Hare Airport, described its role in providing comprehensive healthcare services including chronic disease management and urgent care. According to Business Daily, Leen noted that employees consider the clinic “the best part of working at Flying Food.”
Flying Food Group was founded in 1983 by entrepreneur Sue Gin and is recognized as a leading provider of in-flight catering services, supplying meals to over 70 international airlines.
