Meatpacker and Muslim workers hope this year's Ramadan doesn't see repeat of 2008 controversy

Officials at the JBS Swift meatpacking plant in Grand Island, Neb., are hoping that the controversy from the 2008 Ramadan observance doesn't return in 2009. Around 500 Muslim employees walked off the job last fall when plant officials refused to allow them time to pray. Pete Letheby of the Grand Island Independent reported Aug. 21 that JBS Swift is providing its Muslim employees rooms for prayer before breaking fast this year.

Even after the added accommodations for the 2009 Ramadan, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled last week that JBS Swift must do more to meet the religious needs of its Muslim employees, Tom Johnston of Meatingplace.com reports. A spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations told Johnston that the commission didn't recommend a solution, but urged the two sides to work toward one. (Read more)

The rulings came a week into Ramadan, and after JBS Swift had begun providing prayer rooms. JBS Swift spokesman Chandler Keys told Johnston the timing was unfortunate, but they were still working with the United Food and Commercial Workers, Muslim employees and commission to ensure there wasn't a repeat of the 2008 walkout.

During Ramadan, Muslims pray five times a day and fast from sunup to sundown. The evening prayer is made during a half-hour window after sunset but before dark. Prior to last year's Ramadan walkout, the plant employed 500 East African immigrants, including Sudanese Christians, Letheby reported. This year that number is down to around 400. Letheby wrote that Ramadan falling earlier in the year in 2009, with later sunsets, may help alleviate some of the trouble from 2008. (Read more)