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Title: Muslim Workers at Nebraska Meatpacking Plant Complain of Religious Harassment
Source:
FOXNews.com
URL Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290324,00.html
Published: Jul 22, 2007
Author: staff
Post Date: 2007-07-22 20:19:36 by JCHarris
Keywords: None
Views: 1164
Comments: 84
Muslim Workers at Nebraska Meatpacking Plant Complain of Religious Harassment Sunday , July 22, 2007 OMAHA, Neb. — Supervisors at a meatpacking plant have fired or harassed dozens of Somali Muslim employees for trying to pray at sunset, violating civil rights laws, the workers and their advocates say. The five- to 10-minute prayer, known as the maghrib, must be done within a 45-minute window around sunset, according to Muslim rules. The workers at the Swift & Co. plant in Grand Island say they quit, were fired or were verbally and physically harassed over the issue. The Council on American-Islamic Relations has drafted a complaint to be filed with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The petition compiles testimony from at least 44 workers who had planned to sign the complaint during a meeting Sunday. The signing was changed to a later date because of a logistical problem. Jama Mohamed, 28, said he was fired in June for leaving a production line to pray. Supervisors would not allow him a break, he said. "Some of them took the (prayer) mat from me; they started shouting, they started telling me to stop it, and one of them grabbed me by the collar of my shirt," Mohamed said through an interpreter. "I was crying at the time this was happening to me, and when I finished I told them while they were doing that I was in the middle of a prayer." Mohamed said he was then called to an office, where a supervisor fired him. Mohamed Rage, chairman of the Omaha Somali-American Community Organization, said Swift had fired at least two dozen workers for praying since May. Donald Selzer, an attorney for Greeley, Colo.-based Swift, said only three Somali workers were fired for reasons relating to the issue, and that it was for walking off the line without permission, not for praying. Unscheduled breaks can force unplanned shutdowns of lines, Selzer said. "That is a significant number of employees, and there is not much of a way to accommodate that consistent with keeping the production online," he said. The complaint reprises issues that boiled over in May, when 120 Somali workers abruptly quit for similar reasons. About 70 returned a week later, but union officials worried the issue would resurface through the late spring as sunset came later in the evening shift. "For three days it was all good and we were praying; there was no hassle, no interference, nothing at all," said Ali Schire, 30, who said he returned to the plant but was later fired for trying to pray. "All of a sudden after three days it just all got loose, and they were suspending people, they were firing people," Schire said through an interpreter. "Some of the people even had to give up praying at all for fear of being fired." Said Selzer: "These people are absolutely entitled to pray, and they should not be interfered with for doing so. But on the other hand, the only situations that I've been made aware of are people that walk off the job without permission, and that's a different kind of an issue." Dan Hoppes, president of Local 22 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, said he had not heard of many Somali workers being fired or harassed since May. Prayer breaks are not in the contract, he said, but he hopes to revisit the issue in negotiations in 2010. Swift rejected a suggestion by the Council on American-Islamic Relations to allow the Somalis who work evenings to leave in smaller shifts to avoid disrupting lines, said Rima Kapitan, an attorney with the group. The company suggested phasing evening workers to shifts earlier in the day that did not interrupt prayer times, Selzer and Hoppes said. "We're perfectly happy to try to pursue that angle so that we don't have this conflict," Selzer said. "But given the people who are on the second shift — many of whom prefer to be there — this sort of presents the operational realities." Mohamed said it is important for Muslims to pray within scheduled times and not to postpone prayers or say them early. "I would never forgive myself and God would not forgive me if I do not pray on time because I want to earn some money," he said.
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#1. To: All (#0)
Get these STEENKIN VERMIN out of here ! We don't NEED Balkanization, takeover by the lowest findamentalist allah -babbling bastards or a world caliphate! What is the hell is WRONG with us? Get CAIR on the TERROR LIST where it BELONGS! US Rights for US CITIZENS ONLY. This takeover shit by every barbarian blubbering good-for-nothing Tribe has to CEASE.
FUKKJEM !! DEPORT THE BASTARDS
Then get a job that fits in with your religious needs instead of trying to force a company to fit you.
They are going to have to allow them the time to pray. They have a constitutional right to freedom of religion under the First Amendment, and this is not such a big issue it can't be worked out in an agreeable fashion. I do not support allowing cabbies to dictate what their passengers carry with them as has been the controversy in recent years, but their is no reason to begrudge people time to prey during set praying times. Christians who's sect demands they go to church on Sunday, or Orthodox Jews who observe the Sabbath are respected and not sanctioned if their bosses would prefer they work those days, so there is precedent to respect these people's religion too.
Thesis: Official 9/11 story is an unproven conspiracy theory. http://911truth.org http://Justicefor911.org http://summeroftruth.org Probable-cause standards have been met for an unlimited investigation of unsolved crimes relating to the events of Sept. 11, including allegations of criminal negligence, cover-up, complicity or commission of the attacks by US officials and assets of intel services.
Mr. Harold Wallace Rosenthal, made this statement after admitting Jewish dominance in all significant national programs. He said, "We Jews continue to be amazed with the ease by which Christian Americans have fallen into our hands. While the naive Americans wait for Khrushchev to bury them, we have taught them to submit to our every demand." The Hidden Tyranny Interview http://www .iamthewitness.com/DarylBradfordSmith_Rosenthal.html ___________________________________________ JCHarris: you are another wannabe-zionazi-puto
The Swift plant in the town I left a few years ago had no end of trouble with these people, at least to hear the "yellow hats" (supervisors) tell it. They refused to take orders from female supervisors, wrapped their turds in toilet paper and threw them on the floor in the bathrooms, and were generally stubborn and belligerent, as befits Somali culture. They had a lot fewer problems with Mexicans, except for that whole "INS raid" thing that happened every 5 years or so.
The "Department of Defense" has never won a war. The "War Department" was undefeated.
Try telling that to Wal-Mart. If they say you're workin', you're workin', otherwise they fire you. Not that I've ever worked there, but that seems to be what a lot of the complaints are about.
The "Department of Defense" has never won a war. The "War Department" was undefeated.
That is incorrect as is the claim of a Constitutional right to practice a religion how, where, and as you wish -- and employers DO schedule practicing Christians on Sunday morning regularly. That's why the Catholic Church and other groups offer a Saturday Vigil service in addition to the normal Sunday service. The First Amendment says "Congress shall make no law" - it says absolutely nothing about private employers. Private employers *can* restrict the how, when, and where of religious practice. There is plenty of precedent. A large number of cases where Christians have attempted to "witness" in the workplace have already been lost by the practitioners of that religion. There is ample precedent that if the religious practice disrupts the workplace, it can be denied. There are also cases where the mere posting of portions of Leviticus inside a worker's cubicle is restricted. Again, ample precedent... It will be interesting to see how the courts react to this if it makes it there. You can bet that the "Christians denied" precedents will be introduced. My money says that it won't really go anywhere and that the Muslims will be required to make the same modifications that other groups are.
America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall and the Congress is out to lunch.
I do not support allowing cabbies to dictate what their passengers carry with them as has been the controversy in recent years, but their is no reason to begrudge people time to prey during set praying times. Christians who's sect demands they go to church on Sunday, or Orthodox Jews who observe the Sabbath are respected and not sanctioned if their bosses would prefer they work those days, so there is precedent to respect these people's religion too. If they had tried that during their probationary periods before they were admitted to the union they'd have been fired and they'd have no recourse. So, they timed the moments of their "persecution", which is to say they didn't observe that "prayer window" when they knew they could be fired with no reasons even being required. So, if they didn't ask for and receive accommodation prior to commencement of employment they cannot demand it after slipping into the union. And, I bet they didn't punch out, either. Their "right to pray" means "right to be paid to pray". And, they have to wash before returning to work. Their 10 minute prayer break is probably 30 minutes. This is a good example of what to expect when their numbers are such as to encourage their true belligerence. They are in a culture war and half the fun of their religion is weaponizing it against non Muslims. And the same 1st amendment also guarantees freedom of the press, speech, assembly and the right to petition for redress of grievances. Do they have a right to take unscheduled breaks to publish religious/political newspapers and/or attend protests? Since when is a company required to endorse/subsidize political and/or religious views on their time and property? Also, does their right to religion entitle them to wear religious headgear instead of hairnets for instance? They have the right to find an employer who will accommodate them or start their own companies or stay home. The company probably arranged their visas and saved them from starvation and endelss tribal warfare and this is how the ingrates repay them?
"Stay on the bomb run, boys, I'm gonna get them doors open if it harelips everybody on Bear Creek!"__Maj. T.J. 'King' Kong, USAF
My religion requires me to beat my wives in rotation three times a day, and the company better not try to use some flimsy excuse like boycotts by women to infringe on my 1st amendment rights! tell em, Mike! HAH!
"Stay on the bomb run, boys, I'm gonna get them doors open if it harelips everybody on Bear Creek!"__Maj. T.J. 'King' Kong, USAF
Get these STEENKIN VERMIN out of here ! You live in Omaha Nebraska? "Here" is mighty big. I don't have a problem with the tiny number of evil mooslims living near me. I prefer them actually to some other home grown "minorities". We don't NEED Balkanization, takeover by the lowest findamentalist allah - babbling bastards or a world caliphate! World Caliphate? Uh huh. That is on my list of fears- right between being raped by aliens on their spaceship and being flattened by a meteor strike walking down the street. What is the hell is WRONG with us? Get CAIR on the TERROR LIST where it BELONGS! Uh huh- yep- get every mooslim voice that doesn't toe the Neowhore line on the "Terrorist list." US Rights for US CITIZENS ONLY. They are not "US Rights" and not granted or bestowed on anyone by any government. They exist independantly of your DC masters.
All Muslims should be deported from the U.S. It'd be a step in the right direction toward deporting other groups.
“When I am the weaker, I ask you for my freedom, because that is your principle; but when I am the stronger, I take away your freedom, because that is my principle.”-Louis Veuillot
Bite me Burkie.... I got sick of your destroy the west crap years ago....
You are in the same class as burkie and mekons when it comes to whining and supporting all enemies of western civilization.... I hope someday you are the first to meet the howling crowds you so much espouse.... or sit in a tree and collect insurance benefits for life then bitch about your misfortune....
Max Wrong MAX....unlike YOU....I think and am flexible and revere Western Civilization... YOU are either a leftist punk or YOU have stupidly swallowed the Zio-Marxist CRAP hook line and sinker....
They refused to take orders from female supervisors, wrapped their turds in toilet paper and threw them on the floor in the bathrooms, and were generally stubborn and belligerent, as befits Somali culture. Indrid Cold burkie.max,ferret and mekons love this !! This is what they want for the West and how their excuse for a mind works.... turds all, rolled in the toilet paper thay have made of every document from the Magna Carta to the Constitution.
it seems one of our biggest misfortunes is you. what did we do to deserve it?
Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye [be] Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Red Jones The LEFT LOVES to CENSOR... the GROUPIE HERD LOVES TO EXCLUDE.... the TRIBE has won with YOU.
Oh you poor man.
it seems one of our biggest misfortunes is you. what did we do to deserve it? LOL in words you would understand... maybe... God sent me, like Isaiah, to shake you out of your complacency and worship of strange idols ! LOL...get it now?
Oh yeah, you got me. I'm part of the vast extensive "Destroy the west" plot. The omni present enemy secretly out to "destroy America" has been a mainstay of the paranoid DC worshipping Reichwing in this country since the Civil War. You are quite pathetic. As to the particulars of this story, I don't care. Omaha Nebraska is 1500 miles away from me and I don't know a soul involved in the story. I do know Fox News likes to stoke up these stories to stir reactions exactly like yours- stupid, angry, hysterical, and fearful. Fits right into the paradigm they are attempting to create with this story- and group think they are trying to cultivate. Pavlov rings the bell and JCHarris rolls over.
Burka You fit right in.
Faux Snooze -- about as dubious as World Nut Daily and Sorcha Faal.
Oh my God! Some moooslims at a meat packing plant have a dispute with their employer regarding their prayer times while at work! I live 1200 miles away and this doesn't involve me at all- but I will get worked up and angry and outraged anyway- because I am to lazy to actually care about something that really effects me and that I could change locally. So let me impotently rage against this "issue" which doesn't effect me in the slightest, with other "Americans" whom I have no other connection to other than federal tax forms and for whom I could generally care less about, on the internet and generally denounce immigrants everywhere for their audacity to even speak about anything.
So, they timed the moments of their "persecution", which is to say they didn't observe that "prayer window" when they knew they could be fired with no reasons even being required. So, if they didn't ask for and receive accommodation prior to commencement of employment they cannot demand it after slipping into the union. And, I bet they didn't punch out, either. Their "right to pray" means "right to be paid to pray". And, they have to wash before returning to work. Their 10 minute prayer break is probably 30 minutes. This needs to translate to: The right to be unemployed, and The right to starve.
People get days off..... People to whom the Sabbath is important will address this issue upon hiring, or expect to be fired.
I don't care if this employer grants them prayer break times or not. What bothers me is how this is called a "right" and how the mooslims seek government to provide relief. But in this, CAIR is absolutley no different from any other group based upon every identification possible - from the sexual appetites of certain people who claim to be a "Group" to obese pigs who also now claim to be a "Group"- everyone seeks government relief for their various imaginary issues and to protect their "rights" which are generally just petty and venal demands. In this regard then- CAIR is being quintessentially "American". Rather than forging cultural bonds on the human level- one to one- man to man- working out arraingements between each other on a social level- CAIR takes every petty demand, complaint, sleight, and grievance to the gubmint- usually the federal government. And there is nothing more "American" than that. It is what this country has become- a batch of rootless atoms who can't interact with each other in a civil society without every facet being watched over and laid claim to by government.
again Burkie....bite me.
They have a right to reasonable accoumidation with their prayer times, and Muslim prayers are generally known to be time specific. Therefore, there is no prior notification they needed to do before they were employed. Whet there definately is in this country is too much anti-Muslim bigotry, and not only do the extremists Muslims need to reach accomidation with others not of their faith, the same holds true to anti-Muslim 'jihadists.' This cuts both ways.
Thesis: Official 9/11 story is an unproven conspiracy theory. http://911truth.org http://Justicefor911.org http://summeroftruth.org Probable-cause standards have been met for an unlimited investigation of unsolved crimes relating to the events of Sept. 11, including allegations of criminal negligence, cover-up, complicity or commission of the attacks by US officials and assets of intel services.
They are not victimizing others by wanting to pray at their normal times like someone who physically attacks someone else. I have seen the city bus company in Portland, Oregon have to change their dress code to allow women drivers of a very orthodox Christian sect wear skirts or dresses and not slacks, Sihks are generally allowed their heargear but not their ceremonial daggers which fall under regulations about having weapons at work, and I have asked for and gotten Pagan holidays -- like the Winter Solstice -- off before, and see nothing wrong with respecting employees enough to make minor adjustments to accomidate their religious needs and beliefs.
Thesis: Official 9/11 story is an unproven conspiracy theory. http://911truth.org http://Justicefor911.org http://summeroftruth.org Probable-cause standards have been met for an unlimited investigation of unsolved crimes relating to the events of Sept. 11, including allegations of criminal negligence, cover-up, complicity or commission of the attacks by US officials and assets of intel services.
The optimal solution to this problem is not to have unassimilated people with alien customs living among us to begin with. If people want to come here and continue to live and think as if they're still in Somalia or Pakistan, the logical thing to do is to encourage them to go back rather than trying to "accomodate" them. Get US troops out of the Arab/Muslim world and Arab/Muslim immigrants out of the US and Europe. What part of that is so difficult for people?
I see nothing wrong with Muslims in this country, or accomidating their needs for prayer. All of this falls under the aupices of both sides dialoging to reach accomidaton, out in the end I see nothing involving them praying that is incombatable with them working for this company to the benefit of both parties.
Thesis: Official 9/11 story is an unproven conspiracy theory. http://911truth.org http://Justicefor911.org http://summeroftruth.org Probable-cause standards have been met for an unlimited investigation of unsolved crimes relating to the events of Sept. 11, including allegations of criminal negligence, cover-up, complicity or commission of the attacks by US officials and assets of intel services.
Whet there definately is in this country is too much anti-Muslim bigotry, Oh, BS. I want breaks like that, and I want to be paid for it.
Emphasis on minor.
You're forgetting that the workers *asked* to work that particular shift and did not inform their employer ahead of time that they needed an accomodation. Since other shifts are available that do not conflict with their prayers, this lawsuit will go into the trash since the people complaining refuse to accept a reasonable accomodation. Here is the law in particular, from Title 7 of the Civil Rights code: (j) The term "religion" includes all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief, unless an employer demonstrates that he is unable to reasonably accommodate to an employee's or prospective employee's religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employer's business. Walking away from an assembly line would fall under "hardship" since the line would have to stop in order to accomodate this request. Also, since other shifts are available that meet the accomodation, this lawsuit will fall on its face.
America is not at war. The military is at war. America is at the mall and the Congress is out to lunch.
That thay were paid during this time is a wild guess I don't buy.
Thesis: Official 9/11 story is an unproven conspiracy theory. http://911truth.org http://Justicefor911.org http://summeroftruth.org Probable-cause standards have been met for an unlimited investigation of unsolved crimes relating to the events of Sept. 11, including allegations of criminal negligence, cover-up, complicity or commission of the attacks by US officials and assets of intel services.
Emphasis on you have nothing to say here. Whine and snip to someone who cares. I don't.
Thesis: Official 9/11 story is an unproven conspiracy theory. http://911truth.org http://Justicefor911.org http://summeroftruth.org Probable-cause standards have been met for an unlimited investigation of unsolved crimes relating to the events of Sept. 11, including allegations of criminal negligence, cover-up, complicity or commission of the attacks by US officials and assets of intel services.
The optimal solution to this problem is not to have unassimilated people with alien customs living among us to begin with. Who is "us"? I don't know what "customs" the people who live next to me practice. If people want to come here and continue to live and think as if they're still in Somalia or Pakistan, the logical thing to do is to encourage them to go back rather than trying to "accomodate" them. No, the logical thing to do is mind your own business and get a life. What is a Somali suppossed to do to become "American"? Run up credit card debt, buy shit they don't need, and gain 50 pounds of blubber? I haven't had to "accomodate" anyone and I don't care if they choose to practive their own peculiar customs either. No skin off my nose- not my concern. Now I know there are 'mercans who get all in a tizzy if they are asked to "press one" on an automated help line- but frankly- they need to get an effing life. If your own "customs" and beliefs are so pathetically weak that you are threatened by the robust and unashamed practice of "alien" customs by a small number of immigrants- if you are that insecure- then you are the problem- not the dirty mooslims. Ideally, these Mooslem workers would have worked out an arraingement with their boss a long time ago (or not and just got new jobs). But since everyone in this country can literally make a federal case out of anything (and is encouraged by what passes for a "culture" in this country to do so) these mooslems are doing nothing more than what they have been encouraged to do since they got here- take everything as a insult- dig your heels in and don't dare forge bonds with anyone else- because you don't have too - the federal Gubmint government will protect even your feelings.
This is BULLSHIT and the usual subversive rant from you ! NO ONE else gets to stop and pray and stick their asses up in the air on mats for allah or wobum gu gug or any other deity... YOU LOVE the notion of BALKANIZATION AND DEFEAT of all things American... IMO You would be the first to join the STASI ! and LOVE every minute mimicking Felix Dzherinsky!! Go back and resume your tree-sitting stunts....maybe you can collect some more freeeeeee MONEY so you can continue to sit on your ass and continue your subversion instead of doing an honest days work.
Are you bed-ridden? or just a callous scrooge curmudgeon? I am GLAD you are NOT mu neighbor !
Comments (41 - 84) not displayed.
Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest
#2. To: All (#0)
Mohamed said it is important for Muslims to pray within scheduled times
#3. To: JCHarris (#0)
Mohamed said it is important for Muslims to pray within scheduled times and not to postpone prayers or say them early.
#4. To: JCHarris (#0)
#5. To: JCHarris (#2)
#6. To: JCHarris (#0)
#7. To: Ferret Mike (#4)
Christians who's sect demands they go to church on Sunday, or Orthodox Jews who observe the Sabbath are respected and not sanctioned if their bosses would prefer they work those days, so there is precedent to respect these people's religion too.
#8. To: Ferret Mike (#4)
Christians who's sect demands they go to church on Sunday, or Orthodox Jews who observe the Sabbath are respected and not sanctioned if their bosses would prefer they work those days, so there is precedent to respect these people's religion too.
#9. To: Ferret Mike (#4)
They are going to have to allow them the time to pray. They have a constitutional right to freedom of religion under the First Amendment, and this is not such a big issue it can't be worked out in an agreeable fashion.
#10. To: mirage, Ferret Mike, christine (#8)
#11. To: JCHarris (#1)
(Edited)
#12. To: JCHarris (#0)
#13. To: Burkeman1 (#11)
#14. To: Ferret Mike, Burkeman1, mekons1, HOUNDAWG, YertleTurtle, BlueEyedGirl, Diana, wudidiz, wbales. (#4)
They have a constitutional right to freedom of religion under the First Amendment
#15. To: Max (#5)
JCHarris: you are another wannabe-zionazi-puto
#16. To: Indrid Cold, Burkeman1, mekons2, max, ferretmike, Yertle Turtle (#6)
The Swift plant in the town I left a few years ago had no end of trouble with these people, at least to hear the "yellow hats" (supervisors) tell it.
#17. To: JCHarris (#14)
bitch about your misfortune....
#18. To: Red Jones (#17)
it seems one of our biggest misfortunes is you. what did we do to deserve it?
#19. To: HOUNDDAWG (#10)
...my wives...
The uncertainty of the outcome is what frightens people.
#20. To: Red Jones (#17)
bitch about your misfortune....
#21. To: JCHarris (#16)
#22. To: Burkeman1 (#21)
- stupid, angry, hysterical, and fearful.
#23. To: Burkeman1 (#21)
I do know Fox News likes to stoke up these stories to stir reactions exactly like yours- stupid, angry, hysterical, and fearful.
#24. To: Vitamin Z (#23)
#25. To: HOUNDDAWG (#9)
If they had tried that during their probationary periods before they were admitted to the union they'd have been fired and they'd have no recourse.
#26. To: Ferret Mike (#4)
Christians who's sect demands they go to church on Sunday, or Orthodox Jews who observe the Sabbath are respected and not sanctioned if their bosses would prefer they work those days, so there is precedent to respect these people's religion too.
#27. To: BlueEyedGirl (#25)
#28. To: Burkeman1 (#21)
#29. To: BlueEyedGirl (#25)
#30. To: HOUNDDAWG (#10)
"My religion requires me to beat my wives in rotation three times a day, and the company better not try to use some flimsy excuse like boycotts by women to infringe on my 1st amendment rights!"
#31. To: Ferret Mike (#29)
(Edited)
#32. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#31)
#33. To: Ferret Mike (#29)
They have a right to reasonable accoumidation with their prayer times, and Muslim prayers are generally known to be time specific. Therefore, there is no prior notification they needed to do before they were employed.
#34. To: Ferret Mike (#30)
and see nothing wrong with respecting employees enough to make minor adjustments to accomidate their religious needs and beliefs.
#35. To: Ferret Mike (#29)
They have a right to reasonable accoumidation with their prayer times, and Muslim prayers are generally known to be time specific. Therefore, there is no prior notification they needed to do before they were employed.
#36. To: BlueEyedGirl (#33)
"Oh, BS. I want breaks like that, and I want to be paid for it."
#37. To: BlueEyedGirl (#34)
"Emphasis on minor."
#38. To: Rupert_Pupkin (#31)
#39. To: Ferret Mike (#32)
I see nothing wrong with Muslims in this country, or accomidating their needs for prayer.
#40. To: Burkeman1 (#38)
.
.
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