MUSLIM GROUP TRIES MEDIATION IN LUNCH BREAK SPAT - TOP

IVAN MORENO, Associated Press, 9/12/08



A Muslim advocacy group is trying to mediate a solution to a weeklong confrontation between Somali workers and a meatpacking plant over when they can break for prayer, a spokesman for the group said Thursday.



Religious tension between U.S. factories and Muslim workers is nothing new, but a spokesman for the D.C.-based Council on American-Islamic Relations said he's never seen a conflict escalate to the point it has at the JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, where several dozen workers were fired Wednesday.



"Usually in these cases we're able to come to an amicable solution," said Ibrahim Hooper, a CAIR spokesman…



Hooper said the timing of the sunset prayer for Muslims is the only one of the five daily prayers that can't be changed.



"You can't really say, 'Well I'll delay it for an hour and do it then.' You have a very narrow window of opportunity," Hooper said.



During the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, workers can't eat or drink until that prayer, he said.



Hooper said CAIR attorneys in Chicago are now involved as mediators, and may pursue legal action if religious accommodations are denied. But they're hoping it doesn't get to that point.



"Really, you don't need attorneys in these cases," Hooper said. "You just need a spirit of good will and cooperation." (MORE)



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MINNESOTA: PRAYER BREAKS FOR MUSLIMS - TOP

The Associated Press, 9/12/08



Gold’n Plump Poultry Inc. of St. Cloud has agreed to allow Somali workers to take short prayer breaks and to refuse handling pork at the company’s poultry processing facilities, under a federally mediated settlement. The agreement is among the first in the nation that requires employers to accommodate the Islamic prayer schedule and the belief, held by many strict Muslims, that the Koran prohibits the touching and eating of pork products. (MORE)



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GOLD'N PLUMP DECISION SENT SIGNAL FROM GOVERNMENT - TOP

In the deal with the meat processor's Muslim workers, Washington showed it will fight workplace discrimination.

CHRIS SERRES, Star Tribune, 9/11/08



It was billed as a compromise, but leaders of the Somali Muslim community are cheering a federally mediated settlement that would require Gold'n Plump Inc. to make new accommodations for their religious practices.



Some experts on labor law say the settlement is an indication of how the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will approach a recent surge of religious discrimination complaints from Muslim workers. Nationwide, such complaints to the EEOC have more than doubled over the past decade, from 398 in 1997 to 909 in 2007.



"This sends a message that employers must respect the beliefs of every minority in America -- including Muslims," said Owais Bayunis, president of the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley. (MORE)



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CAIR-NJ APPLAUDS UNITED AIRLINES' HIJAB ACCOMMODATION - TOP



(SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J., 9/12/2008) - The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ) is applauding a decision by United Airlines to accommodate an Islamic headscarf, or hijab, as a part of a flight attendant's uniform.



A Muslim flight attendant was initially told she could not wear hijab. After the intervention of CAIR-NJ the airline committed to creating a uniform compatible with the employee's religious needs.



"We applaud United Airlines' handling of this case," said CAIR-NJ Executive Director Jim Sues. "The company's constructive attitude demonstrates its commitment to allowing workers of all faiths to exercise their civil and religious rights."



He said employers who have questions about how to accommodate Muslim employees may contact the Washington-based civil rights and advocacy group.



CAIR offers a booklet called "An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices" to help corporate managers gain a better understanding of Islam and Muslims in the workplace.



SEE: An Employer's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices

http://www.cair.com/Portals/0/pdf/employment_guide.pdf