Denver Airport Workers Report Illness Following Company-Provided Holiday Dinner
A food safety incident at Denver International Airport affected United Airlines employees who consumed company-provided Christmas meals on December 25, 2024. The Association of Flight Attendants confirmed that 24 employees reported food poisoning symptoms from the 492-holiday meals served to flight attendants. United Airlines launched an investigation with health authorities while maintaining normal flight operations. The incident highlighted concerns about the airline’s holiday sick leave policies, which require doctor’s notes within 48 hours of calling in sick.
5 Key Points
- United Airlines served 492 holiday meals to Denver flight attendants on Christmas Day.
- Twenty-four employees formally reported food poisoning symptoms after consuming the meal.
- The Association of Flight Attendants initially reported 200 cases before revising the number.
- United Airlines maintains contact with health authorities regarding the outbreak.
- The airline requires staff to provide doctor’s notes within 48 hours for holiday sick calls.
Christmas Day Meals Trigger Health Investigation
United Airlines immediately confronted the food safety incident after employees reported symptoms on Christmas Day. A United Airlines spokesperson addressed the situation, stating, “United is monitoring reports from some employees about gastrointestinal symptoms following holiday meals served to Denver employees last Wednesday, and we are in contact with health authorities.” The company emphasized that despite the outbreak, flight operations continued without disruption. The Association of Flight Attendants documented that catering services distributed exactly 492 meals to flight attendants during the holiday service, establishing a clear scope of potential exposure.
Holiday Sick Leave Policy Creates Additional Burden
The incident revealed complications with United Airlines’ strict holiday sick leave requirements. Flight attendants who fell ill faced a 48-hour deadline to obtain and submit doctor’s documentation to justify their absence during the holiday period. One affected flight attendant described to Denver7 the rapid onset of symptoms, including nausea and diarrhea, shortly after consuming the holiday meal. This account aligned with reports from other staff members who experienced similar symptoms. The union expressed concern that some employees continued working despite illness due to policy constraints or being en route during symptom onset.
Flight Attendants Union Revises Initial Case Count
The Association of Flight Attendants assessed the incident, initially estimating approximately 200 cases of illness among staff. However, further investigation led to a significant revision, with 24 confirmed reports of food poisoning symptoms. The union took immediate action to protect affected employees, instructing them to document their cases by emailing supervisors and requesting the removal of attendance penalties. While food poisoning emerged as the primary suspect, the union’s official letter acknowledged the challenge of definitive diagnosis, noting that circulating viruses could produce similar symptoms. Management at Denver International Airport is committed to monitoring the situation ongoing.
FAQ
Q: How many United Airlines employees were affected by the food poisoning incident?
A: Official reports confirm 24 cases of food poisoning symptoms among employees, though the initial estimate was around 200 cases.
Q: What actions did United Airlines take in response to the incident?
A: United Airlines contacted health authorities, began monitoring employee reports of gastrointestinal symptoms, and maintained communication about the situation.
Q: Were flight operations affected by this incident?
A: According to United Airlines, their operations had no impact despite the food poisoning cases.
Q: What was United Airlines’ sick leave policy during this period?
A: United Airlines required staff to submit a doctor’s note within 48 hours when calling in sick during the holiday period.
Q: How many meals were served during the Christmas Day event?
A: A total of 492 meals were served to flight attendants at Denver International Airport on Christmas Day.
Citations
Redmond, Nora (December 31, 2024). Dozens of United Airlines employees got sick after eating a Christmas meal provided by the airline. MSN News. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/dozens-of-united-airlines-employees-got-sick-after-eating-a-christmas-meal-provided-by-the-airline/ar-AA1wKI7r?ocid=msedgntp&pc=ASTS&cvid=543e2719fd8746fe869dcf991f5f9e2b&ei=41
