Delta changes uniform policy after squabble over Palestine flag pins: Travel Weekly

Delta’s unexpectedly issued change to its uniform pin coverage went into impact on Monday. 

The U.S. flag is now the one pin representing a rustic or a nationality that Delta workers can put on on their uniforms. 

“All through the world, nationality/nation flags are more and more resulting in confusion about whether or not they symbolize advocacy for or towards positions or causes,” the airline defined in a missive to workers late final week. “This choice is meant to offer elevated readability in help our folks, whereas we instantly undertake a full evaluation of our pin coverage in alignment with our premium model.”

The coverage change adopted a social media dust-up that occurred final week on the platform X after two Delta flight attendants wore Palestinian flag pins on their uniforms.

In a July 10 put up, a Delta flyer posted a photograph of the 2 attendants and referred to the pins as “Hamas badges.”

Delta’s official X account responded with sympathy towards the passenger.

“I hear you, as I might be terrified as properly, personally,” learn the put up, which has since been taken down. 

The response led the steering committee that’s making an attempt to unionize Delta flight attendants to demand a public apology. The committee additionally demanded a coverage prohibiting nonconsensual images of crew members. 

“It’s deeply troubling to publicly witness Delta seemingly affirm bigoted and inflammatory feedback,” the steering committee wrote in a letter to CEO Ed Bastian. “Concentrating on any people on the idea of their nationality violates antidiscrimination legal guidelines, is antithetical to Delta’s said dedication to inclusivity and respect, and encourages a hostile work setting.”

Delta hasn’t issued an apology, however the service stated it has transferred the worker who wrote the response on X. The worker is now not engaged on the airline’s social media accounts, Delta stated. 

The worker’s remark, stated Delta, “was not in keeping with our values and our mission to attach the world.”

Delta additionally stated that the Palestinian pins had been compliant with its earlier uniform pin coverage and that the corporate has contacted the 2 flight attendants to precise its help. 

Nonetheless, the airline famous its pin coverage earlier than Monday already prohibited advocacy for a place or trigger apart from Delta-sponsored initiatives.

“We’re taking this step to assist guarantee a secure, snug and welcoming setting for all,” Delta stated of the coverage change.