Tyson Foods Workers Ditch Labor Day for Eid Al-Fitr
The Shelbyville, Tennessee Tyson Foods Plant Will Close for the Muslim Holiday Eid Al-Fitr
Tyson Foods' Muslim Majority
According to WVLT, a Knoxville television station, of the approximately 1200 Tyson Foods plant workers in Shelbyville, 700 are Muslim. A majority vote of union members at the plant preferred Eid al-Fitr as a paid holiday over Labor Day. That's the way democracy works after all, the voting majority decides for all. America is built upon personal freedoms and democratic principles, and equal rights for all.
There's nothing wrong or outrageous about this decision by the workers at Tyson Foods, but you can bet that conservative talk show hosts will have a field day over Labor Day in the coming weeks. Opposing the free and fair vote of the union members in which they chose which days they wanted off from work is un-American and divisive.
It's easy to promote the virtues of democracy when you're in the majority and you get your way, but democracy means that not everyone gets their way. The preponderance of votes decides the outcome of presidential elections, reality games shows, and union contract ratifications. The rest of us live with the decision. The workers at Tyson Foods have had their vote and made their decision. Tyson Foods has accepted that decision in its new labor contract.
An Affirmation of Democracy
This is not a question of losing the American way of life; the Tyson Foods labor contract is an affirmation that democracy is still alive and well in this country. Let the radio and talk show hosts tell us that abiding by a majority vote is un-American if they will. I say it is the very foundation upon which America is built. It is also somewhat fitting that if Labor Day is going to lose its paid holiday status that it is the vote of a labor union which does it.
Published by Brad Sylvester - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Brad spent 18 years in the consumer electronics industry, including more than ten years in new product development. He now writes full time from his home in the mountains of New Hampshire. View profile
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- The Labor Union negotiated for and won the right to trade Labor Day for Eid Al-Fitr.
- Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Muslim period of fasting known as Ramadan.
17 Comments
Post a CommentI will not buy any Tyson products anymore.
None of my Jewish co-workers ever complained about taking Christmas off. They did however use one of the two "floater" holidays that the corporation gave us during one or more of their relegious days. These two floaters could be taken at any time during the year i.e. Martin Luther King day, Eid Al-Fitr or even their birthday. No one is offended. You obviously missed my point completely
"This all could have been handled much better. Rather than have non-muslims forced to take off a religeous holiday not of their choosing."
That's adorable. Really. I'm Jewish. Do you think I ever get to work on Christmas so I can take a holiday I want? Think about it. I applaud this. Wholeheartedly.
This all could have been handled much better. Rather than have non-muslims forced to take off a religeous holiday not of their choosing. The company could have introduced a floating holiday system that allows non-muslims the right to use that "FLOATER" whenever they wish. If this had been a 100% in favor of vote, I would have no problem. As long as one person was against or offended by this change, it should not have been made. If we as a nation start making majority decisions for minorities, we will be destroying the fabric of what makes this nation great
Tyson food products will not be purchased in our families homes nor will it be consumed. I will pass this on to all my friends and recommend they do the same. The Buck stops here.
Jacquelyn, I'm curious. Do you think a company in Saudi Arabia which employs mostly Americans should be allowed to give Christmas as a paid holiday even though it is not a nationally recognized holiday there? How is that situation any different than this one? What if the Tyson workers had chosen some other day, like Groundhog Day, instead of Labor Day; would you still be upset? Do ethnic restaurants bother you if you truly feel that when people come to this country they should eat Amercian food, wear American clothes, and practice American religions? Most of what you refer to as American customs are more European customs, and only migrated to America over the last 350 years or so... It's a question of perspective, tolerance, and loving one's neighbor.
We are done buying Tyson Foods. Done!
I find it disrespectful to Americans to remove or make a Muslim holiday standard over Labor Day. We, as a nation, are still reeling from 9-11 and this move is completely irresponsible. Do they recognize or celebrate Labor Day at Middle Eastern companies? Do they recognize July 4th? NO. I am so tired of the Mulims pushy attitudes. Fighting to not remove their facial garb for driver's license photos. Underneath the black veils are Calvin Klein jeans, Hilfiger sweatshirts, etc but then they go out wearing outfits from the Middle East when they LIVE HERE. If I move there then I would dress accordingly...when you move here dress accordingly. It's one thing if visiting (vacationing) but to reside here and dress as if this is an Arab Nation is ridiculous.
good if the fabric americano strengthens
Got it! Thank you for clarifying your position.