MEC Uniform Committee
The company has announced Wednesday, May 28th is when Flight Attendants will begin wearing the new Uniform. Last week, the Uniform Committee met with the company uniform team to discuss the new uniforms.
We’ve heard from many of you that you are still waiting for all of the pieces included in your launch kit. The company expects the vast majority of these missing pieces to arrive by the end of this month with some additional items, including the outstanding dresses and blouses to be delivered in May. Winter outerwear is arriving later this summer and the company will have a temporary policy exception in place for anyone flying to a colder climate this summer who is waiting for backordered winter outerwear.
We are tracking all of the issues that are being reported to the Uniform Committee and remain engaged with the company uniform team to evaluate and resolve them.
To ensure we are able to properly address and resolve issues and concerns, please report all issues to the United Uniform team at uniform-communications@united.com and cc our MEC Uniform Committee at uniforms@unitedafa.org so that we can track the issues and work with the company to resolve them. For any shipping-related issues, contact the Brooks Brothers Customer Service team directly. They are available Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM CT by phone from the U.S. at 855-416-4463 or Internationally at 1-650-456-5680 or via email at unitedsupport@brooksbrothers.com.
The two most reported issues to the AFA Uniform Committee are related to alterations and the sizing and fit of the dress, after raising the arms. The cost of alterations is currently under evaluation by the company. The company is actively engaged with Brooks Brothers to identify solutions for the dress which is a very high priority. We expect more information and another update on these two topics by the end of next week. Until then, if you have not already done so, we are recommending no new alterations be initiated to address the bunching at the top of the dress when arms are lifted.
Alterations:
The company is using a company called Worksmith to manage uniform alterations. Pricing has been negotiated for the following alterations:
- Blazer: shortening sleeves at the cuff
- Coat (wool): shortening sleeves at the cuff
- Pant/Dress/Skirt: hemming length
- Button-down short & long-sleeved shirt: hemming length of shirt and sleeves
The above are not the only alterations that can be made with the $150 credit. The credit can be used for any alterations that do not alter the design style of the garment. We have received some reports that tailors are of the impression these were the only alterations that can be made. This is not correct and we’ve shared that information with the company for follow-up.
In Worksmith, when searching for a tailor, it will populate a list of tailors within 20 miles of the entered zip code. If your search does not populate any results, you can utilize any tailor or local dry-cleaning service for the alterations and submit the expense through Concur. Make sure to take a screenshot of the Worksmith website search results that show no results and include that with the Concur reimbursement request.
If your local tailor or dry-cleaning service is not in the network, or you do not see one within a 20-mile radius of your zip code, you can also contact Worksmith at united@worksmith.com to recommend the tailor to become part of the network.This will ensure access to the negotiated pricing on certain alterations.
Ordering Portal & Uniform Points:
The cost of uniform pieces and accessories with the new uniform have increased compared to the current uniform. To ensure Flight Attendants maintain the same buying power, we are in discussions with the company to finalize the number of points that will be provided for this year.
Contractually, uniform points expire at the end of each calendar year and do not rollover from year to year. Based on our advocacy, the company has agreed to allow a one-time rollover of 2024 uniform points to 2025. Once agreement has been reached on the number of uniform points to issue for 2025, opening of the uniform ordering portal for Flight Attendants to order additional pieces will be announced. When that happens, you will see your total point allotment that will include any unused 2024 points that rolled over into 2025.