Gini Mic
Well-Known Member
tl, dr
I started breaking out in hives when UPS switched to the Twin HIll uniforms. After 5 years of thinking that it was a problem with me I discovered that Twin Hill is being sued by the employees of Alaska Airlines for the same problem that I am having. Take a look at the pics and links. If you are having unidentified skin issues then read the rest of this post and bring it up to HR right away.
tl, dr
In the winter of '08-'09, when UPS switched to the Twin Hill uniforms I started to break out in hives all over my body. Like the loyal company man that I am I waited till the end of peak season to see a doctor (how many of you have been asked to hold that shoulder surgery off until after peak). After 3 different specialists with different diagnoses ranging from polyester allergies to "try a different soap" and even "I don't know, it must be stress" I started to think that it may be the uniform.
I scheduled an appointment to get a patch test done with the uniform and told management what I was doing and that I might be having a reaction to the uniform. In a meeting with a shop steward and a center manager I was threatened. The manager said "If you can't wear the uniform then maybe you need to find another job". I told him to slow down; I hadn't even had the test yet. I just wanted to keep management up to date.
It was a bone-headed move on my part but because we have such a hard time getting new uniform parts I had one of my old beat-up Riverside uniforms tested instead of the Twin Hill uni. It came back inconclusive so I just dropped it and assumed it was my own problem to deal with.
For the past 5 years I have been trying everything that I can to get some relief. I have gone through 6 rounds of Prednisone and regularly use a topical steroid. These drugs both have dangerous effects when used regularly. Nothing has worked and 2 weeks ago my wife, on a hunch, googled "Twin Hill allergies" finding multiple articles referring to the fact that Twin Hill is involved in a class action law suit on behalf of the employees of Alaskan Airlines. up to a quarter of their work force is suffering from symptoms that are identical to mine.
I got a hold of the regional HR manager and raised a big stink. I started the ball rolling on an ADA claim as well as a workman's Comp claim and they immediately dug up some old Riverside uniforms for me to wear. After just 5 days of wearing an American made uniform the difference is amazing.
I started breaking out in hives when UPS switched to the Twin HIll uniforms. After 5 years of thinking that it was a problem with me I discovered that Twin Hill is being sued by the employees of Alaska Airlines for the same problem that I am having. Take a look at the pics and links. If you are having unidentified skin issues then read the rest of this post and bring it up to HR right away.
tl, dr
In the winter of '08-'09, when UPS switched to the Twin Hill uniforms I started to break out in hives all over my body. Like the loyal company man that I am I waited till the end of peak season to see a doctor (how many of you have been asked to hold that shoulder surgery off until after peak). After 3 different specialists with different diagnoses ranging from polyester allergies to "try a different soap" and even "I don't know, it must be stress" I started to think that it may be the uniform.
I scheduled an appointment to get a patch test done with the uniform and told management what I was doing and that I might be having a reaction to the uniform. In a meeting with a shop steward and a center manager I was threatened. The manager said "If you can't wear the uniform then maybe you need to find another job". I told him to slow down; I hadn't even had the test yet. I just wanted to keep management up to date.
It was a bone-headed move on my part but because we have such a hard time getting new uniform parts I had one of my old beat-up Riverside uniforms tested instead of the Twin Hill uni. It came back inconclusive so I just dropped it and assumed it was my own problem to deal with.
For the past 5 years I have been trying everything that I can to get some relief. I have gone through 6 rounds of Prednisone and regularly use a topical steroid. These drugs both have dangerous effects when used regularly. Nothing has worked and 2 weeks ago my wife, on a hunch, googled "Twin Hill allergies" finding multiple articles referring to the fact that Twin Hill is involved in a class action law suit on behalf of the employees of Alaskan Airlines. up to a quarter of their work force is suffering from symptoms that are identical to mine.
I got a hold of the regional HR manager and raised a big stink. I started the ball rolling on an ADA claim as well as a workman's Comp claim and they immediately dug up some old Riverside uniforms for me to wear. After just 5 days of wearing an American made uniform the difference is amazing.
