More Flight Attendants Reporting Issues With American Airlines’ New Uniforms

Although American Airlines previously said issues flight attendants were having with the new uniforms — like causing hives and headaches — were limited to about a dozen people with wool allergies, a union that represents flight attendants says there have now been 1,300 complaints over the clothing.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants says it’s also had the clothing tested and found that it contains detectable levels of chemicals that are usually found in pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers, the Los Angeles Times reports.

“We will continue to invest the resources necessary to get to the bottom of this and we fully expect the company and Twin Hill to do the same,” the union told its members last month.

American says the complaints only represent about 1% of the 70,000 employees who are now wearing the uniforms, but adds that it’s tested the garments twice and is waiting for results on a third.

“We want our employees to be happy with their new uniforms,” an American spokeswoman said, noting that if the new uniforms are making workers uncomfortable, they can wear their old uniforms instead.

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist