Posted on 05/24/2007 3:16:08 PM PDT by stan_sipple
About 70 Somali meatpacking workers returned to work Wednesday at a Swift & Co. plant in Grand Island after Omaha community representatives intervened to help narrow a culture gap.
A delegation led by Mohamed Rage, chairman of the Omaha Somali-American Community Organization, met with company and union officials Tuesday to explain how union contracts and company policy conflict with Islamic prayer requirements.
"Management was cordial and understanding," Rage said.
Somali workers left their jobs at the Swift plant last week because they were unable to complete an evening prayer - one of the five prayers required each day of the Islamic faith, Rage said.
The company agreed to allow a normal bathroom break to be used for prayer time. Workers agreed to limit their prayer time to the time available.
Workers were pleased with the meeting's results, Rage said.
"It was a gentlemen's agreement," he said.
Swift spokesman Sean McHugh said it was a productive meeting.
"All parties gained a better understanding of the others' concerns," McHugh said. "We've reached a mutually acceptable agreement that adheres to the provision of the existing labor contract."
McHugh said about 120 Somali workers resigned last week. By Wednesday afternoon, he said, about 70 had returned to work.
A delegation led by Mohamed Rage!
Great, angry islamderthals with access to our food.
pretty hard working, after the deal over half come return to work
How many of these cretins do they have in Omaha of all places? We had to ship ours in Atlanta to Maine. Sorry to any FReepers there, but just damn. Open fires in the house with a working stove, defecating in the yard with a working toilet (which was used for laundry).
Who needs a union when you have the threat of mass murder on your side?
the swift plant is in Grand Island about 130 miles west of omaha
How in the he double tooth picks did they end up there? Sponsered by Swift I presume?
But Christains can’t even invoke the name of Jesus in the workplace without being written up.
It's for the meat cutting practice.
I have quit buying Swift products because of this.
Good idea. I am not going to buy them either. Minnesota is full of the same problems at their Swifts plants. They wash their feet and even their genitals in the bathroom sink.
Where are the Mexicans to do the work the Somalis won’t do?
It is scary to have them access to our food supply.
They’re handling pork??
I’ll never buy another Swift product again.
Swift was the plant the ICE raided in December, fits a pattern doesnt it
Another tiny step towards America’s destruction.
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