Dozens of Muslim meatpackers return to production lines afte

[Amelia]

Dozens of Muslim meatpackers return to production lines after prayer walk-out

Associated Press

May 25, 2007

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Dozens of Muslim meatpackers in Omaha, Nebraska, are back on the job, after walking-out last week to protest not having enough time for sundown prayers.

Swift and Company officials had said sunset prayers could take too many workers off production lines at once, forcing them to shut down. More than half of the Muslim workers -- from Somalia -- decided to return to the production lines, after meeting with management and union officials.

As summer draws near, later sunsets could run past slotted break times, which could mean more friction between management and workers. But a spokeswoman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations says the workers have flexibility about when they are required to pray. And he says prayer should only take about five minutes.

[Woody]

This is ridiculous. When I am hired on a job .... I ALWAYS let it be known that I will not work between sundown Friday and sundown Saturday. I spell it out. I don't just surprise the employer later as to my religious requirements. Even in health care jobs ... I've done this.

If you don't like the job requirements go somewhere else.