APFA union asks full recall of health problem uniforms 30 Nov 2016
Dec 2, 2016, 2:03 pm
#1
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APFA union asks full recall of health problem uniforms 30 Nov 2016
In a memo Wednesday to more than 25,500 AA flight attendants, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants that represents flight attendants at AA revealed that it has asked American Airlines, the world's largest airline, for a total recall of all flight attendant uniforms until further joint testing with the company can be completed.
http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/n...rm-recall.html
http://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/n...rm-recall.html
Dec 2, 2016, 4:11 pm
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Some AA FAs have indicated rashes and other contact issue conditions, others have stated washing them prior to wear may correct the problem. It will be useful to finally have some tests done to determine what the problem is.
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram article link.
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram article link.
Last edited by JDiver; Dec 2, 2016 at 4:27 pm
Dec 2, 2016, 5:31 pm
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Have I mentioned today how much I detest hyperbolic headlines designed to be clickbait? The only place that the word "demand" appears is in the headline of the article. The actual article uses only words like "ask" and "request". And the uniform testing is being done jointly with APFA.
Dec 2, 2016, 7:32 pm
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A similar situation occurred when AS went to new uniforms for the FAs and gate agents in 2011. In 2013, after reports of rashes and illnesses AS replaced the uniforms with those from another vendor.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...h-reasons.html
The uniforms that AS replaced at that time were from Twin Hill which is also the vendor for the AA uniforms that are currently being discussed.
And this post from that thread recounts the results of testing by the airline and provided to the union:
Also AS is again sourcing new uniforms:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...ay-2018-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...h-reasons.html
The uniforms that AS replaced at that time were from Twin Hill which is also the vendor for the AA uniforms that are currently being discussed.
And this post from that thread recounts the results of testing by the airline and provided to the union:
http://ashsd.afacwa.org/?zone=/union...&HomeID=160011
Regarding arsenic, lead, and chromium in fabrics: Significantly, heavy metals fabric data commissioned by Alaska Airlines and completed in Aug. 2012 reported that 13 of 35 fabric samples appeared to have excess levels of arsenic and lead, 6 of 35 samples appeared to have excess levels of chromium (not hexavalent), and one had excess hexavalent chromium, all as compared to the Oeko-Tex 100 fabric standard. AFA-CWA has not been provided with the names of the arsenic, lead, and chromium-containing compounds in these fabrics, but these test data confirm their presence.
Regarding arsenic, lead, and chromium in fabrics: Significantly, heavy metals fabric data commissioned by Alaska Airlines and completed in Aug. 2012 reported that 13 of 35 fabric samples appeared to have excess levels of arsenic and lead, 6 of 35 samples appeared to have excess levels of chromium (not hexavalent), and one had excess hexavalent chromium, all as compared to the Oeko-Tex 100 fabric standard. AFA-CWA has not been provided with the names of the arsenic, lead, and chromium-containing compounds in these fabrics, but these test data confirm their presence.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...ay-2018-a.html
Last edited by jerry a. laska; Dec 2, 2016 at 7:59 pm Reason: speling and add sentence about twinhill
Dec 2, 2016, 7:53 pm
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Thread title has been changed to reflect actual article contents rather than incorrect headline and comply with the FT rules.
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Jan 6, 2017, 2:07 pm
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Last edited by Microwave; Mar 17, 2017 at 8:00 am Reason: Removed referrer tag from URL
Jan 10, 2017, 12:34 am
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Uniform maker Twin Hill responds to APFA complaints:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel...safe/96337854/
According to the article:
.
-FlyerBeek
http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel...safe/96337854/
According to the article:
"We supported the request of APFA representatives to visit our Houston distribution center and select uniforms directly for joint chemical testing with American Airlines,” Stilley continued. “We scheduled that visit - on three different occasions over the last eight weeks - and each time, the APFA has unilaterally cancelled the visit at the last moment.
-FlyerBeek
Jan 10, 2017, 1:54 am
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Jan 10, 2017, 1:55 am
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Mar 16, 2017, 6:54 am
#13
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So what's up with uniforms?
I am reading crazy stories
what is going on here?
Temporary solutions were offered to help deal with the crisis, such as offering flight attendants and other workers cotton and synthetic uniform options-- but even then some of the flight attendants reported issues with the alternative option.
Mar 16, 2017, 2:33 pm
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It honestly does not. At first it seemed the problem was a simple one and some people had allergic reactions which among 70K people is unfortunate but not unexpected but then you switch materials and it's bad...?