Manufacturing Industry

Laundry workers union claims some airline items are not washed

Airline Industry Information, Nov 21, 2000

The Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE) has released a report that claims airline blankets, pillow cases and head phones are not always washed after every use and may contain dangerous germs.

UNITE is organising airline laundry workers employed by Royal Airline Laundry (RAL) and has stated that employees of the laundry company are told to repackage items if they do not appear to be dirty.

UNITE currently represents 200 of Royal Airlines Laundry's 500 employees and is attempting to organise more according to The Associated Press.

RAL has denied the allegations as being 'false and malicious' and has threatened to sue UNITE for libel. A statement issued by RAL said, 'All of the items returned to airlines are in a totally hygienic condition.'

Meanwhile, the director of the Aerospace Medical Association has stated that infection through the aforementioned items was highly unlikely and UNITE has apparently admitted to not having identified any passengers who have been made ill by unclean headsets or linen.

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