Delta Will Now Only Allow Flight Attendants to Wear American Flag Pins in Uniform Policy Change

Delta is updating its uniform policy for employees, after a recent controversy over flag pins.

A representative for the airline confirms to PEOPLE that the new guidelines, in which only American flags will be permitted to be worn on uniforms, went into effect on Monday, July 15.

The company had previously permitted pins representing all countries and nationalities of the world.

Earlier this month, an X user posted photos of two flight attendants wearing small Palestinian flag pins on their uniforms. The post, initially shared on July 9 and reposted the following day, complained about the pins and referred to the Palestinian flags as “Hamas badges.”

In a post that was later deleted, the official Delta account replied,  “I hear you as I’d be terrified as well, personally.”

Delta tells PEOPLE, “On July 10, Delta removed a mistakenly posted comment on X because it was not in line with our values and our mission to connect the world. The team member responsible for the post has been counseled and no longer supports Delta’s social channels. We apologize for this error.”

The airline added that the photographed flight attendants were in compliance with Delta’s uniform guidelines at the time.

“Contrary to further chatter on social media platforms, neither has been terminated,” Delta said.

An account called Delta Association of Flight Attendants responded to the new uniform policy in a TikTok video posted July 15. (Delta flight attendants do not currently have an officially recognized union. The Delta AFA group advocates to form one.)

“Last week two of our coworkers faced racist harassment online,” the video’s message begins. “Not only did Delta’s official corporate account exacerbate the harassment, but they also implemented a new policy punishing all the flight attendants, saying that now we can only wear pins with the U.S. flag. For decades, flight attendants industry-wide have worn flag pins as a symbol of our role, connecting the world and connecting different cultures.”

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The organization’s members continue, “This policy removes our right to express ourselves and does nothing to face the real problem: harassment.”

The video accuses the airline of “silencing workers” and “setting the stage for even more harassment and discrimination.”

It also urges viewers to sign a petition accompanying an open letter to Delta CEO Ed Bastian, asking for a public apology, a ban on non-consensual photography, and action addressing the company’s social media moderation.

Delta declined to comment on the AFA’s public comments, but said of the new uniform policy, “We are taking this step to help ensure a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment for all. We are proud of our diverse base of employees and customers and the foundation of our brand, which is to connect the world and provide a premium experience.”