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Tennessee Plant Drops Labor Day For Muslim Holiday

Discussion in 'Religion and Spirituality' started by sking29, Aug 2, 2008.

  1. sking29

    sking29 What it takes to be cool

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    This story happened right in my backyard and boy is it full of good topics. Basically at a Tyson poultry plant in Shelbyville, Tennessee Labor Day was done away with for Eid al-Fitr due to the plants 700 Muslims (out of 1200). This happened basically as a contract between the union and the company; only union members are affected. Nevertheless tensions have risen and some are offended by this contract supporting a particular religion. Here are some quotes that I think are important to the problem of whats going on.

    Of course in my typical fashion I like to ask all of you your feelings on this.

    Let me start by saying that treating this as something non-religious is crazy because it clearly is and Tyson is avoiding blame here. Also in the second quote I think you begin to see where the religious tension comes in here. Notice how Smith says that "there's a whole bunch of them here" and doesn't say "there's a whole lot of Muslims here." This to me is a sign that he feels that they don't belong really but he'll go along with it.

    Now the third quote really disturbs me because of what it says. I mean yes this is America but we are the land of religious freedom...yes freedom. We have no national religion so saying they should go with our holidays is intolerant and down right wrong in my book. Because I am sure that the plant doesn't get off for Christmas and Easter/Good Friday. :pity: Views like that makes me wonder why people don't take the time to look at what there country is and has been and learn about the country that has given them the freedom to worship, it disgusts me to see such ignorance.

    The fourth quote I agree with since I am a religious tolerance person not liking the preference of one religion over another. Now I understand that devout Muslims have to worship pretty much on schedule but we have to take all into account here. However I need more details such as does the lounge say "Muslim Prayer Only" or can anyone pray. If anyone can pray then once again I disagree with the intolerant ones. Dicey situation but I've given my view.

    So what does everyone else think about this: who's right and who's wrong, what do you think about religious intolerance in the US-is it a problem and who is right in this case, then lastly bring up whatever topics you find interesting here.

    In the end Labor Day should still be given though as its stupid to take it away.

    Here is the entire link:
    http://www.wsmv.com/news/17063986/detail.html#-
     
  2. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    Of course the company carries some culpability. There are other ways to accomadate that percentage of their work force such as giving preferential religious holidays, take any three days, etc. you want. It has been done in ares of high Jewish/Christian populations for years. To take away Labor Day is the company's choice.

    OK, that part of my rant over, I am happy to see the local union and company being sensitive to the faith needs of their workers. I wish everyone was that tolerant. Your are correct, it would shock me if Christams, Easter and maybe even other parts of Holy Week, weren't already offered. Heck, even having Sunday as the weekend speaks volumes.

    Change is hard for some, it makes them think and some folks seem morally opposed to that.
     
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  3. Muck

    Muck Throwback Uniform Crusader Retired Administrator

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    On one hand, he's right. Giving up a national holiday for a religious one doesn't seem kosher (no pun intended).

    However, Christmas and Easter, Good Friday, etc. are religious holidays too. So I have no problem with this holiday being added.

    I guess it just comes down to negotiation, just like Tyson said. The majority wanted this, so they got it. However, I'd venture to guess that Tyson wasn't going to just add an extra paid holiday. The union had to give one up. So the union picked the least offensive, non-religious day they could.

    And with that said, the quote above is rendered ignorant IMO.
     
  4. Ohiophinphan

    Ohiophinphan Chaplain Staff Member Luxury Box

    Precisely
     
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  5. miami#1

    miami#1 Season Ticket Holder

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    as a union employee i dont think the company is to blame for this. all our holidays are figured into our contract. our last contract was for 3 years we all got to vote on it. alot of things went throgh that i wasnt happy about but it is a democracy and the majority rules so if the plant is mainly muslems it makes sense. the way our agreement reads is that the company allows us 12 holidays a year and we get to decide when they are.
     
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  6. Miamian

    Miamian Senior Member

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    When I worked for Miami-Dade County, Christmas was always a day off with offices officially closed. Christmas Eve was a half-day for most people with a skeleton crew, for which I always volunteered. New Year's Day and Eve are technically religious holidays also, but they've been mainstreamed.
     
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  7. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    This is only "news" because it is a Muslim holiday. If Labor Day was dropped for a Christian or Jewish holiday, I don't think we'd know about it.
     
  8. sking29

    sking29 What it takes to be cool

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    Agreed but I think all the Christian holidays already are formally instituted. :wink2:
     
  9. gafinfan

    gafinfan gunner Club Member

    If I worked for this company, which I don't, I would have thought that it would have been better to have that time off noted as a religious holiday and let the members (all) pick what day they wanted to take off. Make it a personal choice day and still drop Labor Day. That way the plant will also be open for business one extra day. THen again I'm sure the Union wouldn't like THAT idea. :cry::wink2:
     
  10. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Give them labor day back if they are willing to give up christmas. After all "If we want to go pray, we don’t have one for Christians."
     

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