When the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) started distributing new uniforms to its workers earlier this year, it hoped to bring a more professional appearance to the 43,000-strong workforce. The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) reports that professionalism, however, was not the only thing that came with the new blue shirts. Severe skin rashes, lightheadedness, swelling and redness in and around the eyes and lips are symptoms described by Transportation Security Officers who have been wearing these new uniforms.
According to TSOs who have seen their doctors, these painful conditions are caused by the formaldehyde used in the manufacturing process of the imported uniforms. Formaldehyde – the chemical used for preserving dead animals and body parts – is used by clothing manufacturers to prevent mildew and keep the fabric stain and wrinkle free. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals and may cause cancer in humans. TSOs have noticed that uniforms imported from Mexico do not seem to be causing the rashes as opposed to those imported from Honduras.
The American Federation of Government Employees reports complaints about the toxic uniforms from TSOs at BWI and in Oakland, Tampa, and Palm Beach. Several TSOs contacted AFGE after their managers refused to process their workers' compensation claims. Some said they were told to keep quiet about the matter.
"This is unacceptable," said AFGE President John Gage. "Employees who are allergic to the chemical have the right to file a workers' compensation claim. It is a health and safety issue that needs to be addressed."
AFGE this week sent a letter to TSA Administrator Kip Hawley, demanding that the issue be looked into for possible violation of Department of Labor regulations. AFGE is also demanding that TSA tell its clothing contractor VF Solutions to immediately recall and replace the uniforms, which are still under warranty. The union is asking that TSOs be allowed to wear their white uniforms and that TSA facilitate the filing of workers' compensation claims with the Labor Department.
"I understand from Kip Hawley's recent appearance on 60 Minutes that the new uniforms are intended to give TSOs a more professional image. While I can support Mr. Hawley's intent, the impact of this decision is raising legitimate medical concerns among the employees," stated Gage. "AFGE would be able to negotiate the impact of this decision in a collective bargaining environment."
The union has also filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration about the issue. AFGE advises that TSO’s who may have an allergic reaction to the new uniforms, contact the AFGE TSA Hotline at 1-866-392-6832 and go to their doctor to have the symptoms determined. AFGE is also conducting a survey to gauge the impact of the issue.
AFGE is the largest federal employee union representing more than 600,000 employees across the country, including tens of thousands of DHS employees in agencies such as the U.S. Border Patrol, Citizenship and Immigration Services, FEMA, and ICE. These DHS workers benefit daily from the strong collective bargaining agreements AFGE is able to negotiate on their behalf. In the months ahead, AFGE is confident that the Obama administration will see the folly in denying basic workplace rights to TSA employees and will correct this long-endured injustice.
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