Lands’ End Class Action Says Delta Uniforms Make Workers Sick

Clothing maker Lands’ End has been hit with a class action lawsuit filed by Delta employees who say the company’s “Passport Plum” uniforms are making them sick.

Lead plaintiffs, Monica DeCrescentis and Gwyneth Gilbert, allege in the class action lawsuit that Lands’ End Passport Plum uniform line causes rashes, hair loss, and nausea.

In addition, the purple dye used to make the clothes reportedly bleeds and stains.

DeCrescentis says that after she complained, Lands’ End and Delta jointly told to her to wash and dry the uniform five times and then send it to the company for testing. She says she did so and has never heard back.

The other plaintiff claims that after suffering rashes from the original uniform, Lands’ End sent her a different shirt; however, her reaction to the new shirt was even worse, leaving her with a burning sensation.

Gilbert further alleges that she was tested by a dermatologist and told she was extremely allergic to the formaldehyde and other chemicals found in the new uniforms.

The Passport Plum line was developed by a contestant on the show “Project Runway.” The line includes a v-neck signature dress, a skirt and blouse, a mock turtleneck, vest and a sweater set.

“The Uniform…was designed to turn Delta employees into walking advertisements for the airline and Delta encouraged its flight attendants to promote the new Uniforms on their social media pages,” notes the Lands’ End class action.

Delta sent the purple uniforms to 24,000 flight attendants and 40,000 gate agents, touting their ability to stay wrinkle-free and resist stains. These features, alleges the Lands’ End class action lawsuit, are due to chemicals added to the clothing and may present a hazard to human health.

“Shortly after the uniforms were introduced, some female flight attendants said that they started getting sick, reporting skin rashes, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and hair loss,” alleges the Lands’ End class action.

American Airlines employees launched a class action lawsuit against another clothing maker over similar allegations about their uniforms. In 2017, two flight attendants alleged that they and others had suffered health issues after a new uniform was introduced.

According to the Delta employees, they are left with little recourse if they suffer health complications from their Passport Plum uniforms. They report that Delta has told them they can make a disability claim accommodation and take short-term disability pay at a reduced pay rate to get out of the uniforms.

“As Delta flight attendants are non-union, at-will employees, many are reluctant to complain about the problems with their uniforms and suffer in silence and other flight attendants wear undergarments or long underwear to protect themselves from new uniforms,” contends the Lands’ End class action lawsuit.

The plaintiffs and proposed Class are represented by Bruce H. Nagel and Randee M. Matloff of Nagel Rice LLP, and Edward Cerasia II of Cerasia & Del Rey­-Cone LLP.

The Lands’ End Delta Uniforms Class Action Lawsuit is DeCrescentis, et al. v. Lands’ End Inc., Case No. 1:19-­cv-­04717, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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