Call Tyson…

Posted under Eid, american muslim, current events by rahma

…and thank them.  At a plant in Tennessee, Tyson Foods has agreed to the union’s request that Eid be considered a holiday and a paid day off.   Between 250 (Tyson’s number) and 700  (the unions number) muslims, mainly somalis, work at the plant.  Is that a majority of union members?  A majority of the workers?  If the 700 number is correct, then they are, according to this source.  If this is the case, why not give them eid off?  After all, many employers give their workers Christmas off (which is also a holiday at this Tyson plant).  There’s obviously nothing wrong with giving the majority their religious holiday as a paid day off, according to that precedent.

As always, stories like these have taken on a life of their own.  Those of us here in Minnesota are used to a local story involving muslims blowing up into something huge and out of proportion.  People huff and puff without asking questions to get the full story.  I wonder if that’s what is happening here as well?  I’ve gone to the websites of local papers and fallen down the rabbit hole of linkage, trying to get a local view on the story.  This blog piece in particular is quite informative in the sifting and winnowing of all the information out on the interwebz.  And speaking of rabbit holes, if you have time, read through the series the local paper in Shelbyville did about the Somali Community in December. 

 In any case, the usual calls for boycotts have sprung up in the right wing blogosphere.  If you have a minute, please write or call Tyson to thank them for accommodating their workers.

Mail:	Tyson Foods, Inc. P.O. Box 2020 Springdale, AR 72764-6999	Telephone:	1-800-643-3410
	Consumer Relations CP631 2210 West Oaklawn Drive Springdale, AR 72764-6999