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New Uniforms Leave American Airlines Employees Itching For Relief

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) -- American Airlines is facing a growing backlash from its employees.

They're upset about new uniforms for pilots and flight attendants.

American Airlines flight attendants coming off airplanes at Mineta San Jose International Airport are sporting their new red, white and navy blue uniforms.

But when asked about how the uniforms are apparently making hundreds of employees sick, they didn't want to talk about it, at least not on camera.

"I really can't, sorry," one employee said.

American Airlines produced a video when they rolled out the new outfits for 70,000 flight attendants, pilots and gate personnel in September.

"We're taking a different approach to our uniform program, and with that approach it's all about our colleagues who wear them," the video states.

But within weeks, about 1,600 workers complained the new uniforms were giving them headaches and rashes.

Two flight attendants told KPIX 5 privately that something in the wool fabric makes them itchy and their eyes water.

One said Friday would be the last time she wore it.

And a pilot told KPIX 5 he already went back to his old uniform, and won't change back.

The flight attendants' union is asking for a total uniform recall.

American airlines has not agreed to that but a spokesman said the airline is letting some employees go back to the old uniforms, is ordering new non wool kits for workers who want them and is offering affected employees skin testing to help determine the cause.

The flight attendants' union is asking for a total uniform recall.

American Airlines has not agreed to that, but a spokesman said the airline is letting some employees go back to the old uniforms, is ordering new non-wool kits for workers who want them and is offering affected employees skin testing to help determine the cause.

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