Delta will redesign 'toxic' employee uniforms after complaints about negative health reactions
'This is a big decision, but we side with our people, and we are making a change'
Delta Air Lines will be redesigning some of its uniforms after hundreds of employees complained about negative health reactions from the existing uniforms.
Earlier this month, hundreds of Delta employees sued Lands’ End over the uniforms, claiming they suffered “serious” reactions and health problems because of the “various chemical additives and finishes” used in the uniforms.
Some of those health problems reportedly included respiratory issues, difficulty breathing, blisters, hair loss, migraines, nosebleeds and “auto-immune conditions,” according to the lawsuit.
Delta announced it will redesign its employee uniforms (pictured), which were first launched in May 2018 and designed by Zac Posen with Lands' End. (Delta News Hub via Flickr)
The new uniforms will be for “above wing” employees, including flight attendants and gate and ticket agents, the airline said in a press release Wednesday.
The company said that “below-wing” employees, including baggage-handling and aircraft maintenance workers, will also have some updates to their uniform, but because they have given “overall positive feedback” about the uniforms, they are expected to continue with the uniforms.
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“At Delta, our people are the foundation for our success,” Delta’s uniform director Ekrem Dimbiloglu said in a statement. “In response to our employees, we’ve taken steps over the past few months to address feedback received about the uniform, including offering alternative garments, hiring fabric experts, and conducting comprehensive chemical testing.”
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAL | DELTA AIR LINES INC. | 63.34 | -0.30 | -0.47% |
According to the release, Delta plans to give employees more garment choices, have more control over uniform production, use more sustainable textile procedures and be certified by the OEKO-TEX’s Standard 100 label.
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The new uniforms are expected to be released in late 2021, but until then, employees will be given new uniform options, Delta said.
The existing uniforms, which were designed by Zac Posen with Lands' End, were first released in May 2018 and given to 65,000 employees, including 35,000 above-wing workers and 30,000 below-wing workers.
The uniforms included dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, tops and sweaters.
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Earlier this month, hundreds of Delta employees sued Lands’ End over the uniforms, claiming they suffered “serious” reactions and health problems because of the “various chemical additives and finishes” used in the uniforms.
Some of those health problems reportedly included respiratory issues, difficulty breathing, blisters, hair loss, migraines, nosebleeds and “auto-immune conditions,” according to the lawsuit.
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This report contains material from previous FOX Business stories.