Iberia Airways ban flight attendants from wearing gloves on flights Swine flu infection

The union STAVLA has condemned the airline for not allowing attendants to wear gloves to protect themselves against possible Swine flu infection.

Iberia Airways ban flight attendants from wearing gloves on flights Swine flu infection

The union STAVLA, a union that fights for the rights of flight attendants has condemned the airline for not allowing attendants to wear gloves to protect themselves against possible Swine flu infection.

A source within the union said it had reiterated a request first made in 2003 for flight attendants to wear gloves when handling biological waste that is generated aboard, this request was put to the Health and Safety Committee and denied.

STAVLA, which has announced that it may take legal action against Iberia, has stated that each flight attendant assigned to the overseas fleet is in contact with about 33,000 passengers a year and has stressed that flights go "several times a day to Mexico."

The union said that after a circular sent to employees yesterday Iberia said “ it only allows the use of gloves by the flight attendant serving a passenger who, in his opinion, is affected by the infection."

The union representatives of flight attendants recalled that the Regional Institute of Occupational Safety and Health at Work (IRSST) in Madrid has admitted that biowaste requires protective gloves, but "Iberia the practice remains prohibited for reasons of image” .



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