TideGlider...This should piss off even democrats..maybe even ken. outrageous!
Bias suits settled with Gold'n Plump, job agency Muslim workers receive $1.35 million under a religious discrimination settlement.
Last update: March 31, 2009 startribune.com
A federal judge gave approval for Gold'n Plump Inc. and an employment agency to pay $1.35 million to settle lawsuits alleging religious discrimination against Muslims at a chicken processing plant in Cold Spring, Minn.
The money will go to 128 Somali Muslims who claim that St. Cloud-based Gold'n Plump violated their religious rights by refusing to allow them prayer breaks during work hours, and to another 28 workers who said a St. Paul employment agency, the Work Connection Inc., required them to sign forms acknowledging they would be required to handle pork.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigated the allegations and said it found cause to believe discrimination occurred, according to lawsuits filed last year.
In a settlement approved Tuesday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeanne Graham, Gold'n Plump will add a paid break during the second half of each shift to accommodate Muslim employees who wish to pray. The break is in addition to one early in the shift and lunch breaks required by law.
The Work Connection has agreed to provide offers of employment to the 28 job seekers who were turned away for not signing the "pork form."
The $1.35 million settlement includes $985,000 for legal costs and $365,000 in cash payments to the 156 workers.
___________________________________________
Comment on this story | Read all 19 comments | Hide reader comments Register or log in to comment Comments are subject to the site's terms of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of the Star Tribune. Readers whose comments violate the terms of use may have their comments removed or all of their content blocked from viewing by other users without notification.
Give them a break...No give me a break.. If they received an unpaid break I would say that would be fine. But giving them a paid break is completely WRONG.
posted by goin_upnorth on Apr 1, 09 at 5:13 pm | 2 of 3 people liked this comment. This is outrageous America is a free country that does not cater to religious beliefs. These people need to find jobs that they are willing to do. I find this unbelievable. The company should NOT change their rules to suit them. They knew the rules before they were hired. These companies should not be paying them to pray to Allah. If they give them paid time off for that they better be giving everyone else the same paid breaks as well, or that will actually be religious discrimination.
posted by iBelieve on Apr 1, 09 at 5:19 pm | 1 of 1 people liked this comment. Political correctness run amuck Those of you who vote for Obamaites must be jubilant over this ridiculous stupid accommodation. Paying people to pray while they are at work, how unbelievably absurd. Get ready for more of the same, European Union here we come.
posted by DouglasGo on Apr 1, 09 at 5:33 pm | 2 of 3 people liked this comment. These companies need to stand up for their rights I think it was a great idea to have them sign a paper that acknowledges they will be handling pork. That way they know it is part of the job and they should not take the job if they don't want to do that. This whole thing really makes all Muslims look bad. I hope other Muslims will straighten them out.
posted by iBelieve on Apr 1, 09 at 5:39 pm | 2 of 2 people liked this comment. Close the plant Judge Graham's ruling is asinine. I would close the plant or convert it to pork processing immediately. Adapt to life in America or go home.
posted by hivoltage474 on Apr 1, 09 at 11:17 pm | 0 of 1 people liked this comment. |