Several United Airlines employees fell ill after consuming holiday meals at Denver International Airport, raising concerns about food safety.
Denver: So, it turns out that a bunch of United Airlines employees got sick after eating their Christmas meals at the airport. Can you believe it? About 24 workers reported feeling unwell, and it seems like food poisoning might be the culprit.
Last week, the airline handed out nearly 500 holiday meals, and now local officials are looking into it. A spokesperson for United said they’re keeping an eye on the situation and are in touch with health authorities.
Initially, the union thought over 200 employees were affected, but they later revised that number down to 24. It’s a bit of a mess, honestly. Chris Bruton, the union’s local president, mentioned that while they can’t be sure it’s food poisoning, they’re taking it seriously.
Interestingly, norovirus is making the rounds this holiday season, which can cause similar symptoms. The CDC has pointed out that it’s a leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the U.S. right now.
One employee shared that they were worried about calling in sick because of the airline’s strict holiday sick leave policy. They need a specific doctor’s note if they want to take time off, which can be a hassle.
But the union has reassured workers that if they show symptoms after eating those meals, they won’t have to jump through hoops to stay home. It’s a busy travel season, too, with millions expected to hit the road or take to the skies.
