190 of 200 Fired For Muslim Prayer Walk Out At Colorado Meat Plant

 About 190 workers, most of them immigrants from Somalia, have been fired from a meat packing and distribution plant on Colorado’s Eastern Plains for walking off the job to protest a workplace prayer dispute. Ten days ago more than 200 workers walked off their jobs at Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan.

Some workers later returned, but the majority stayed away as representatives of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) negotiated on their behalf. On Tuesday Cargill, through its attorneys, fired the workers who were holding out, said Jaylani Hussein, a spokesman and executive director of CAIR.

“The workers were told: ‘If you want to pray, go home,’ ” Hussein said.  

 

In the 30+ years I have been in the work force, not once….never…..ever…..did anyone ask for or expect preferential treatment because of their religious beliefs. They call it work for a reason.

You are in America now, assimilate or get the fuck out. You deserve no special treatment, you’re lucky to be here.

 

Cargill has a policy stating that any workers who are terminated can not reapply for a position for 6 months. CAIR continues to talk with Cargill, a teleconference is scheduled next week, and Hussein hopes that the 6-month freeze is waved and that the workers will be allowed back.

The workers continue to express their desire to be allowed a prayer break, Hussein said. “They feel missing their prayer is worse than losing their job,” Hussein said. “It’s like losing a blessing from God.”

Cargill could not be reached for comment Wednesday night. Last week, Mike Martin, director of communications for Cargill, told the Greeley Tribune that employees of all faiths are allowed to use a reflection area, but that because employees work on an assembly line only one or two at a time can use the area, to avoid slowing production.

He told the Tribune company policies had not changed.

The workers earn $14-per-hour and up, and are represented by a union, Teamsters Local 445. About 2,000 people are employed at the plant.

“These are people who want to work,” Wicks said. “If they’re allowed to return to work, we will continue to negotiate.”   Keep Reading…..

I hope the company holds it’s ground, fill the positions with Americans who would be thankful just to have a job.

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