A gesture a Samoan American woman made to honor her seriously ill father has gotten her fired, reports the Australian Broadcast Corporation.
Tracy Sialega went out to get a tualima, a traditional Samoan tattoo on the back of the hand.
Hawaiian Airlines subsequently dismissed the Seattle-based employee of four years.
She explained the tattoo is supposed to tell the story of family.
“Mine in particular speaks on the journey my dad takes with his medical struggles, his health struggles, as well as my journey in taking care of him throughout his entire journey with his health,” she told ABC.
Her father is currently battling cancer.
The airline told SFGate it fired her because its guidelines do not allow visible tattoos on employees who interact with customers.
Ironically Hawaiian Airlines recently unveiled its Moana 2 plane that featured the Disney character Maui full of tattoos.
A hearing was conducted with a union representative alongside Sialega to determine her fate.
“While we understand the importance and cultural significance of tattoos in Hawaii, these standards are in place to ensure our company, which transports guests from around the world, remains respectful to those with cultural sensitivities to tattoos,”Hawaiian Airlines said in a statement. “We also regularly review these policies and will continue to do so as we integrate with Alaska Airlines.”
Sialega decried what she considers the airline’s cultural insensitivity. She says she has covered her tattoo with makeup to accommodate the airline.
“If they can use our markings for their designs, for their aircraft, for our uniforms … I don’t see why we can’t wear them as markings on ourselves especially if it’s part of our beliefs and our culture.”
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