Delta Air Lines plans to replace the uniforms that are worn by hundreds of its employees who charge they are causing health problems. This is a big victory – we began writing about this since concerns initially arose, and appreciate all the love and thanks we’ve had from the employees of Delta.
Over 500 employees, most of them flight attendants, filed a federal lawsuit against Lands End on December 31, 2019. They allege the uniforms caused health problems, including breathing difficulties, vocal chord dysfunction, blurred vision, skin blisters and rashes, nosebleeds, ringing ears, fatigue, and migraine headaches.
Delta has been using the uniforms since May 2018, although several workers who complained about health issues were granted permission to wear similar looking clothing in place of the uniform.
The airlines asserted that it conducted testing and found the uniforms to be safe. But the lawsuit challenged that study and said the employees’ own test detected the existence of “chemicals and heavy metals far in excess of industry accepted safe levels for garments.”
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Hence, on Wednesday, Delta said that it is beginning the process to change the uniforms, which will cost the company millions of dollars. Delta spokesman Anthony Black said:
“The uniform was certified to be safe. That said, there were people who were having reactions to them. Both those things can be true, so we are going back to the drawing board.”
After a union organizing campaign Tuesday by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), which is seeking to represent the 25,000 flight attendants at the company, Delta sent an email to its employees on Wednesday, writing:
“we have not been able to resolve this situation for everyone, which has been our top priority all along. That’s why we are announcing a completely new uniform program.”
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New interim clothing will be available in May, with the new permanent uniforms hopefully in place by late 2021. Delta will not replace other uniforms also provided by Lands End worn by “below the wing” employees, such as mechanics, cargo handlers and ramp workers. The overwhelming majority of complaints about Lands End uniforms have come from the “over the wing” employees such as flight attendants, according to Black.
Lands End refused to comment on the lawsuit. It issued a statement Thursday that did not directly address Delta’s decision to change some of its uniforms, saying:
“(that its) garments meet or exceed the strictest global standards” and that “we value our partnership with Delta and are pleased to continue to work with them to supply safe, innovative uniforms that meet their program needs.”
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Delta pilots wear clothing from another supplier and have had no complaints about their uniforms. They are the only group of uniformed employees at the airline represented by a union.
Previously, employees of other US airlines have complained about uniforms that could pose a health danger. American Airlines severed ties with clothing manufacturer Twin Hill in 2017 after complaints from the in-house union that represents its flight attendants. Additionally, the AFA effected changes in the uniforms at Alaska Air.
