Islamism under check in the US

Submitted by Vijay (Germany), Oct 23, 2011 at 05:38

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/US-firm-fires-26-Muslim-drivers-over-prayer-breaks/articleshow/10459611.cms

US firm fires 26 Muslim drivers over prayer breaks

SEATTLE: More than two dozen Somali Muslim drivers for Hertz at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport are being fired after refusing to clock out for daily breaks during which they normally pray, according to media reports.

The 26 workers drive the company's rental cars to and from the airport for cleaning and refueling. They are among 34 Hertz employees suspended on September 30 for failing to clock out before breaks. Eight of the 34 signed the clock-out agreement and have returned to their jobs, company spokesman Rich Broome said.

Termination letters have been sent to the rest. The firm made it clear the suspended workers needed to agree to the clock-out conditions by the end of the day if they wanted to be reinstated, Broome told the Seattle Times.

The firings were first reported by KOMO-TV . Broome said, "It's not about prayer, it's not about religion; it's about reasonable requirements."

Observant Muslims pray several times a day. Hertz said the suspended workers were violating provisions of a collective bargaining agreement and a settlement with the equal employment opportunity commission reached two years ago. Teamsters Local 117, which represents workers, said the two sides were unable to reach an agreement that would have allowed the workers back to return to their pre-suspension status.

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