United Airlines staff say they got sick after eating airline’s Christmas meal

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy At least two dozen United Airlines employees fell ill after eating company-provided meals at Denver International Airport on Christmas Day. Twenty-four employees reported symptoms “consistent with food poisoning” after United Airlines passed out nearly 500 holiday meals to workers last week, according to local officials with the Association of Flight Attendants union. open image in gallery United Airlines is now ‘monitoring reports’ of the illnesses reported by employees who ate the meals at Denver International Airport “While there is no way to know for sure if this was ‘food poisoning’ since there are viruses going around that produce similar symptoms, local management have assured me…they will be monitoring this issue,” said Chris Bruton, the union’s local executive council president for Denver International Airport and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. If they don’t meet this requirement, the employee said, they could face repercussions like “performance warnings.” The union told employees that if they report symptoms consistent with food poisoning after eating the meals, they will not be required to fill out a “Holiday Absence Certificate” if they need to remain home from work.