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Meanwhile, the union that negotiated the controversial contract at the Shelbyville plant has removed the original press release announcing the holiday change from its web site, and the union president has described the backlash to the decision as "bigotry."
The union had stated in a June 19 press release that 700 Muslims worked at the plant, while Tyson repeated Tuesday that there are only 250 Somalis of the 1,000 union members employed there.
Some readers expressed outrage after the Times-Gazette reported that the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) had successfully negotiated a contract at the Shelbyville Tyson facility that took Labor Day away as a paid holiday and replaced it with the Muslim holy day Eid al-Fitr.
Since the T-G broke the story last Friday, it has received national attention and has become a hot topic of discussion on talk radio, the Internet and national TV, including Fox News Channel.
When asked how Tyson Foods felt about the negative backlash against their company that occurred after the T-G published the story last week, spokesperson Libby Lawson said, "we regret how consumers feel about all of this. We sincerely do.
"Feedback has been thought-provoking. We have received a lot of calls expressing anger and support. We are an American-based company with core values that acknowledges diversity and all faiths," Lawson said.
"We have chaplains of many different denominations in most of our plants. It has indeed made us reflective about how we negotiate with unions."
The union refused to answer a series of questions posed by the T-G, but instead released a statement from Stuart Appelbaum, the national president of the RWDSU.
"There's no question that there is a lot of bigotry against Muslims and that this agreement has clearly touched a raw nerve among those who are prejudiced against them," Appelbaum said in the prepared statement. "However, the RWDSU has always understood that unions are only strong when they work to protect the dignity of workers of all faiths.
"That includes Muslims. Our union may be the first to negotiate this kind of agreement, but I have no doubt that others will follow our lead," Appelbaum said.
How many Muslims?
Lawson stated again Tuesday that the Shelbyville facility only has 250 Somalis out of the 1,000 union workers employed there. There are a total of about 1,200 workers at the plant, but 200 of them do not fall under the union.
When asked about the discrepancy in the union's figure of 700 Muslims to the food processor's count of 250, Lawson told the T-G via e-mail that "the union plans to clear up this misinformation in its own press release that should have been released by now."
"We are not sure how this misinformation was shared, but the union acknowledges it was not accurate," Lawson said.
"We have approximately 250 Somalis that work at the Shelbyville plant," Lawson said. "We do not know how many Muslim team members work at Tyson. We do know that approximately 250 Somalis work at the Shelbyville plant."
A new press release issued Tuesday from RWDSU stated only that "many of the company's 1,200 workers are Muslim." The union had not answered repeated inquiries as to how many Muslims it represented at the Shelbyville plant as of press time this morning.
The contract
The Tyson spokesperson stated that out of the approximately 1,200 team members at the plant, "approximately 1,000 are covered by the union contact."
Lawson said that "approximately 200 are not covered by the union contract. They are management and management support positions."
The union contract that removed Labor Day as a paid day off was effective as of Nov. 15 of last year, after negotiations were conducted in October 2007, Lawson explained.
A Tyson Foods press release issued Monday stated that the contract which made the change "was unanimously recommended by the 12-person union bargaining committee, which included three Somali employees.
"The contract was then overwhelmingly agreed to by 80 percent of the rank and file membership of the union at the Shelbyville plant," the press release said. "This change does not apply to Tyson Foods' other 118 plants. This is not a religious accommodation, rather, it is part of a union-initiated contract demand."
"Vote tallies are known by the union," Lawson told the T-G. "When we have negotiations with various unions there is usually a negotiating team composed of company team members and union representatives."
Lawson said that in regard to paid holidays, "we put on the table that there are 8 paid holidays and they can offer which ones they would like to have. They usually pick them with production demands in mind."
"Depending on production demands, in some instances, our team members work on holidays, including Labor Day, which has certainly happened at our Shelbyville plant and others," she said. "Of course, team members are compensated holiday pay in those instances and in accordance with the union contract if there is one."
Only union representatives and Tyson team members were involved in the negotiations, Lawson said.
Cultural diversity
In a press release issued Tuesday, the RWDSU said it has "always prided itself on working hard to negotiate contracts that respect the rich cultural diversity of its members."
"That is what led the union to negotiate a unique agreement at the Shelbyville, Tennessee Tyson poultry processing plant where many of the company's 1,200 workers are Muslim."
The union described Eid al-Fitr as "one of Islam's holiest days," which marks the breaking of the Ramadan fast "and is a day of forgiveness, fellowship, brotherhood and unity."
The day is celebrated on a different day every year, "which makes working it into a contract more difficult than negotiating holidays with set dates," the press release said. "Just as important as winning the Eid as a paid holiday, the RWDSU also arranged for Muslim workers to have the space they need to pray each day."
The press release also quotes Abdillahi Jama, a 54-year-old Somali who came to America in 2004 "as a political refugee," the union said. He eventually came to Shelbyville to work at the Tyson Foods facility
"The new Eid holiday and prayer space are examples of the respect and dignity that come with RWDSU representation," the press release stated.
"This new contract is good because it allows me to work on the second shift and still pray when I need to," Jama said. "It's very important to us, and the Eid is one of our most sacred holidays. It shows how the union helps us."
"If there is a problem with our paycheck, or any other problems at work, we can talk about it and deal with it without being afraid of being fired," he added in the press release.
Jama said that when the new union contract was coming up "we were able to make it clear how important the Muslim holiday is and the negotiating committee worked with Tyson to make this happen. It was different with my first couple of jobs in the U.S."
"I sleep well, I work well, and I live well, and the union has made it possible," Jama stated.
According to RWDSU Alabama and Mid-South Council Representative Randy Hadley, "The negotiating committee made the holiday a top priority in contract talks, and we were able to get management to commit to it."
"It will be a challenge to work the schedule around on short notice every year," Hadley said, "but we are going to make it work."
Union President Appelbaum says in the press release that "the contract is an example of the union's progressive tradition in action."
"The history of the labor movement tells us that unions are at their strongest when they're most inclusive. That means making it our business to stand up to win respect for every worker's right to practice their faith," Appelbaum said.
The union also said that in addition to guaranteeing the right of Muslim workers to practice their faith, "the contract had already made Tyson's Shelbyville plant one of the few U.S. poultry plants with time-and-a half pay for any worker who is on the job over eight hours a day."
"The agreement also provided wage increases and protects the existing health care plan for the life of the contract," the union said.
Don't you love how the liberal nuts resort to name-calling when there is no logic to their arguement?! The union intentionally skewed the numbers to make it look like there were more muslim workers than there actually was. And don't you love how that Applebaum guy talks about how "effective" the union is...Tell that Ford Motorcompany. Ford loses millions of dollars a year because of their union. The union has found a bunch of suckers in the muslim population. These people think the Union hung the moon just because they got them a day off and some place to lay their prayer mats. The union will want to be paid back eventually...then we'll see how great the Somali's think the union really is!
-- Posted by jtjustice30 on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 1:11 PM
You realize your post makes you a hypocrite, right? You insult liberals for calling names, by calling them names.... smart!
The dictionary definition of liberal is indeed:
"To be liberal is to be open-minded, accepting of change, to be able to see things from other people's perspectives, to understand things aren't always black & white and right or wrong. I've always thought these were good qualities to have."
But such definition is far from an accurate description people whom typically call themselves "liberal" in America.
One can get a better definition of Liberal by looking at their actions and stated beliefs:
In America,
A Liberal is a person who believes that it is inhumane to execute murders but that the killing of an unborn child, even as it comes out of the birth canal during what would be a normal child birth, is not only acceptable but commendable.
A Liberal believes that a public school system is justified in helping a young girl in killing her unborn baby without ever notifying the girl's parents.
A Liberal believes that marriage is an outdated concept, unless of course, the couple is gay.
A Liberal feels bad about slavery that occurred over 150 years ago, to people whom are not alive today. Thus, such Liberals feel justified in taking the employment and educational opportunities of innocent while people and giving such opportunities to non white people to soothe the Liberal's guilt.
A Liberal opposes strong child sexual abuse laws first (1) because conservatives support them, and (2) they believe people who sexually abuse children are sick, not criminals, and should be treated with dignity and understanding as they undergo medical treatment.
A Liberal believes it is honorable to FORCE you to give money you have earned to other people who have no right to your money for whatever reason makes the Liberal feel better.
A Liberal believes that the Bible is an outdated book that is not meant to be taken literally (or seriously) but that the Koran is a sacred text that must be respected.
A Liberal believes that the U.S. constitution is a living document that changes all the time according to the mood of the judiciary (Supreme Court -- 9 lawyers in black robs).
A Liberal believes that condom distribution in the schools promotes responsible behavior.
A Liberal believes that global-warming is mainly caused by the activities of man.
A Liberal believes the first Amendment is scared and must not be abridged and flowed to the letter of the text but that guns cause crime and thus the second amendment should be ignored.
The list goes on and on. Basically, people who call themselves "Liberals" are elitists that believe they are smarter than everyone else and thus are justified in forcing their beliefs on everyone else.
The most important thing to remember about Liberals and their policies is that they fail (miserably fail) at just about every goal they claim to be trying to achieve.
TiredofalltheBS:
You also need to learn how to write. Can you find the mistake you made in the following sentence?
-- like figuring out how to makie some money.
-- Posted by time2relax on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 7:18 AM
So, being as you read all that the only objection you had was one mis spelling... I thought so.
TiredofalltheBS:
You also need to learn how to write. Can you find the mistake you made in the following sentence?
-- like figuring out how to makie some money.
This guy is from Europe. The Islams are causing problems all over the world.
http://www.dotsub.com/view/84f5c72d-b0ba...
TiredofalltheBS,
AMAZING COMMENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO SHELBYVILLE!! I am from Shelbyville but do not live there now.
This is a small part of the takeover the Muslims
are trying to do in this country & it has to be
stopped. If they are being brought here by Tyson
that is outrageous or being paid to come here, that is outrageous. We have people here that would like to have those jobs.
They are in the U S. Go by OUR HOLIDAYS & OUR
PRACTICES. If they want their holidays go back to their country.
I will NOT buy any TYSON PRODUCTS. They can
go under & take there Muslims back to their country to sell their chickens.
I can talk to my God anywhere anytime. I do not
need a prayer room or have to pray a certain time of the day.
fran
After reading all these comments, it's clear many of you can't write, but can you read?! Read the article. Tyson did not call you bigots; the union guy did. Tyson didn't ask for the Muslim holiday; the union members did. Do you honestly think a company would worry about something as petty as whether a union wants a Muslim holiday in lieu of Labor Day? Tyson has more important things to worry about -- like figuring out how to makie some money. I'll address a few more of the many inaccuracies and unsupported conclusions in a minute, but first, let's be honest with ourselves.
This isn't about Tyson. It isn't about Labor Day. It isn't about Islam. The real issue is you don't want Somalis living in the community. You don't want any immigrants, especially those who don't assimilate as soon as they step foot on U.S. soil. You can boycott Tyson all you want, but even if you get your way on the Labor Day thing, you'll still be angry because the Somalis will still be here.
Cetanu: You posted a link to an article and stated, "Tyson closed 2 plant's (sic) in Nebraska due to TB brought in by Somali Refugees." That's not what the article said, and even if it did, it would be wrong. Even casual observers of the meat business know they closed the plants due to over capacity in the industry and a shrinking supply of cattle (i.e., closing the plants made economic sense). Also, you posted a very lengthy legal complaint filed against Tyson. Why did you fail to note the judge dismissed the case a few months after it was filed because the plaintiffs couldn't support their claim?
Justmyopinion: The suicide you referred to was a man who allegedly was involved in hiring illegal immigrants. He and the others implicated worked for Tyson; however, when Tyson executives learned what those individuals were doing, they were fired. I guess it was all too much for one of them, and my sympathies go out to his family. The ensuing case against Tyson came about because the federal government tried to extort millions of dollars from Tyson in the form of a settlement. You pay us this fine, and we won't take you to court. Tyson said, "No thanks. We'll see you in court." Tyson won.
How do I know all this? I'm a Tyson shareholder, and you can find out a lot about a publicly traded company by reading reports filed with the SEC.
Proud American: Finally, a voice of reason. Please know that the people posting on this board are not representative of all Southerners. Most Southerners believe in true freedom (not blind patriotism), and most of us are tolerant, open-minded people. Unfortunately, there are people who view religious tolerance and diversity as accepting all denominations of evangelical Christians, whether they're Southern Baptist, General Baptist, Church of Christ or Church of God. The real progressives might even have a few Methodist friends. :-)
Justwonderin: Let me get this straight -- You think all Muslims rejoiced on 9/11. You suspect Muslims are doing something to the food supply. You think someone observing a Muslim holiday or wearing a head scarf is tantamount to shoving his or her religion down your throat and the throats of your children. But you're not a bigot? Sure.
Sameoldstory: It doesn't matter to me whether this country's founders were Christian or any other religion, because they didn't dictate that we all be of one religion or pray the same prayers. What matters to me is they were smart enough to know that wouldn't work. The very first words in the Bill of Rights are, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or the free exercise thereof…." I will defend your right to be a Christian. Will you defend my right not to be? I won't try to convert you to my spiritual beliefs. Will you extend me the same courtesy?
And finally…
Stoptheforcedintergration: To be liberal is to be open-minded, accepting of change, to be able to see things from other people's perspectives, to understand things aren't always black & white and right or wrong. I've always thought these were good qualities to have.
I know y'all will start attacking me, so flame away. I, for one, am going to stop reading all your spew and go back to being a productive citizen and enjoying my life. I hope you soon realize life is too short for all this anger and hatred.
To Tyson for calling US citizens bigots, here is a Somali in her own words describing Islam: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD1XkxJPI...
Americans ARE NOT stupid, and we DO watch the news. Shove that up your rightious liberal arses!! :P
Ditto
The numbers have been told by Tyson Foods and the Union but those numbers don't seem to be accurate. There is a conflict in numbers..
But from the way I understand it there are about 1270 employees at Tyson Foods with 1000 of that number being Union members. If Tyson Foods is correct in saying there are 250 Muslim employees then that leaves 750 Non-Muslim Union members.
Of course no one has ever actually said if the 250 Muslim Employees are all Union Members or not.
I just find it strange that so many Non-Muslims would vote for a Muslim Holiday.
I WILL NEVER EAT ANY MORE TYSON FOOD SOME OF THEIR EMPLOYEES TOLD ME THAT THE SOMOLIANS DON'T USE TOLIET PAPER THAT THEY USE THEIR HAND AND THEN WASH IT WITHOUT SOAP.IF THIS IS TRUE TYSON NEEDS TO SHUT THE DOORS HIRE CEAN AMERICANS TO DO THE WORK IF THEY EXPECT YO SELL FOOD TO AMERICANS. TALK TO THE EMPLOYEES DOWN THERE AND THEY WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THAT PLANT.
Maybe some of them did not want to join the union. Only members of the union got to vote on this. If you were not in the union, you could not vote. How many employees are union, and how many are not? Would shed some light on it.
Some questions for all you believers of the conservative doctrine - Does Tyson have the right to hire employees as cheap as possible in order to enhance their bottom line; Yes they have every right to hire Legals.
do they have a right to hire legal immigrants; Yes that's what I said:
can these legal immigrants practice their religion, even at work; Not unless the same opportunity is extended to all religions:
and do these people have a right to trade one holiday for another? If the majority rules that it could be exchanged then yes: I personally do not believe for 1 minute that Tyson Foods gave the non-Muslims the opportunity to vote, Why would someone who is non-Muslim vote to trade a Holiday that is American (the same day their friends and families are off) for a day they can not even spell?
Having the right to do something, does not always make it the right thing to do.
Some questions for all you believers of the conservative doctrine - Does Tyson have the right to hire employees as cheap as possible in order to enhance their bottom line; do they have a right to hire legal immigrants; can these legal immigrants practice their religion, even at work; and do these people have a right to trade one holiday for another?
THIS IS A MUST TO LISTEN TO. IF THIS DOES NOT OPEN EYES IN THE UNITED STATES I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL. IT IS LENGTHY BUT WELL WORTH THE TIME.
http://multimedia.heritage.org/content/w...
I HOPE THIS WILL TAKE YOU RIGHT TO THE SITE.
Only 200 Somalis are employed at Tyson? It has always been my understading that the majority rules. How will Tyson and the union react when another religious group, with 25 members, demands a special day for their special worship requirements. In reality, this has nothing to do with religious freedom; it is aother kind of terrorist attack on this country. By wrapping it with the robes of a religion, it makes it easier to cry discrimination and achieve a goal. And the goal is NOT the right to worship. The goal is to completely eradicate the America that was.
I have created an e-mail for anyone that wants to Stand up and fight this... We need to be heard..
standupbedford@ymail.com post comments on what you want and I will organize tis... I will also keep you informed on any changes..
Call me a bigot if you care to.
I guess I am a bigot with my health concerns. I dont know about you Mr Union President, but personally I have no interest in a processing plant worker hacking and spitting his or her TB laced spit all over chicken I might be putting into my mouth.
Or their HIV infested body fluids.
Or their AIDS infested body fluids.
Or the HEP A or HEP B or HEP C infested body fluids for that matter either.
You go right ahead and chow down Mr Union President, I think I will allow my bigoted self to avoid such contact if at all possible.
Look nascarfanatic,
If I were running for President of the greatest nation of the free world, do you think I would pass up a chance to see the soldiers that defend it! NO!!!! That was an excuse.. If someone told me not to go I would tell them to kiss my @ss. Basically that is what McCain said. Look it up. Presidential canidate Hussein was making excuses because he could not take his own camara crew in to make it look like a zoo.
You hit it right on the head too. Pro Abortion, Pro Gay, Pro rights to everybody that don't deserve them.... And Oh!! what about the Muslim advisor that just got fired today by him for ties to a radical islamic organization... Probably reluctantly... So do what you want.. But when everyone is bowing down to everyone but the American way I will tell you I told you so...
About the story of tyson.. Less we forget that Somalia was the country we were in in 1993 when they were draging our dead soldiers through the streets of Mogidishu.. If they want to come over here as political refugees learn our ways our life.. that goes for everyone in the same situation.
Bigot no but if you keep throwing that word around loosely... I agree with Dianatn...
Regarding a Tyson Foods boycott - - I say do it and I will.
Some will contend that a boycott is a knee-jerk reaction and will do more harm than good.
There will be short term collateral damage, (local and non-local) if a Tyson boycott is successful; not doubt about it. But such cannot be helped and we should all realize this fact before boycotting Tyson.
It is indeed lamentable that some innocent Americans will suffer; however, Tyson should have thought of that before they spit in the face of Americans. In addition, does one think that there was no collateral damage due to the Boston tea party or other well known "boycotts?" Such is the nature of boycotts.
We must look beyond the short term collateral damage and focus on the greater good. A boycott of Tyson is a vote for saving American traditions. The hello with the collateral damage, and while I am sorry for the collateral damage a successful boycott will cause I will NEVER KNOWINGLY PURCHASE ANOTHER TYSON PRODUCT AGAIN.
To see where seemingly small changes to "accommodate" Muslims such as the Eid holiday in Shelbyville--multiplied by countless similar accommodations to Muslims taking place all over the United States--will, in time, and as they grow in scope and accumulate, lead to changes in attitudes and behaviors among us "unbelievers," consider England/the UK, where this "peaceful" Jihad is much more advanced.
Muslim "immigrants" and "political refugees" have settled in compact geographic areas, and as they have gained political and economic power, they have turned many of these areas into "no-go" areas that they control, where it is unsafe for "unbelievers" to go and British police do not dare to enter except in force; check out what could be such an area developing in Dearborn, Michigan. By gaming the British welfare system, many Muslims do not work, but live off of substantial government benefits, which include free housing; British welfare and law enforcement officials overlook Muslim's multiple wives--the Muslims say they are "cousins"--and pay each one of these "cousins" benefits. Muslim leaders are now setting up their own parallel Muslim governmental, legal and financial systems in some of these areas and the Archbishop of Canterbury has recently said that Shari'a law should have a place alongside British law in the UK.
Wife beating and honor killings are very common and British officials look the other way. Many of the Muslims on police forces and social service agencies have been accused of informing the husbands of Muslim women who come to them for help about where these women are and of helping the husbands or Muslim religious leaders recapture them.
There are likely more than 2,000 "registered" Muslim mosques (and many other unregistered Mosques) which blanket the small country of England and there are supposedly over 200 Mosques in London alone. British TV Station 4 has filmed many of the Imams at some of these prominent mosques as they gave sermons inciting Muslims to beat their wives, hate "kaffirs" i.e. unbelievers and praising Jihad; these mosques sell DVDs and books that push these views too.
Chanting Muslim marchers carrying signs saying "Islam Will Dominate the World," "Slay Those Who Insult Islam," "Butcher Those Who Insult Islam," "Exterminate Those Who Slander Islam," "Freedom Go To Hell," "Europe Take Some Lessons From 9/11" and similar slogans have marched with impunity through London and elsewhere. A July 2008 poll of Muslim students in England revealed that 30% thought that killing in the name of Islam was justified and 40% want Shari'a law imposed in Britain: and these were just the Muslims who were candid enough to reveal their attitudes.
The UK has been subjected to the Tube bombings, the attack on the airport in Scotland, dozens of thwarted plots and many arrests and British law enforcement officials recently stated that they were following over 200 active plots and radical Muslim groups.
This is the kind of situation that seemingly small "accommodations," followed by increasingly large "accommodations," multiplied all over the country can, in time, lead to.
Yea It is a funny thing about my computer it researches what I type in..
and beings you were talking about Obama then I assumed, Obama was the one you wanted to talk about.
I never said once I was voting for McCain so I am not sure why you would suggest otherwise. Except for the fact you think you are right about every subject on these boards which I find hilarious.
Hey, I like Tyson's numbers, 1200 employees, 200 management, 1000 Union employees.
That means that union is strong.
100% Union
I guess so because you have to be a union member before you can vote on a union issue.
I do find that figure a litte hard to believe
Can anyone tell me if the Federal goverment gave Tyson's $5,000 a head to employ and help relocate these fine folks as I have ben told or is it B.S.
!!!BEDFORD COUNTIANS!!!
ALL OF US THAT LIVE IN BEDFORD COUNTY OBVIOUSLY HAVE OPINIONS. I SUGGEST WE TAKE SERIOUSLY MEETING AND LOOKING AT SOLID, LEGAL AND ETHICAL AVENUES TO ADDRESS OUR CONCERNS.
THE CONCERNS MUST BE SPECIFIC.
I SUGGEST A RALLY AT THE BALL PARK ON SOME GIVEN DAY (SUNDAY AFTERNOON). WILL SOMEONE THAT IS A STAY-AT-HOME GET AN EMAIL ADDRESS TO COLLECT OTHER'S ADDRESSES INTERESTED IN STARTING WITH ME? I THINK THE LIST WILL BE LONG. LET'S GET STARTED.
Dianatn,
Does your computer allow you to do the same research on the rest of the candidates? I assume not.
OK, I made a mistake in the previous posts -- This is the edited version.
What I find interesting is that you people in Shelbyville who need a job and would love to work for Tyson are being screwed by your own government.
YOUR TAX DOLLARS paid for the expenses to have these Somalia jerks brought to this country!!!! Yes, the US government is making you pay the expenses for the people who are taking YOUR employment opportunities. Amazing, when our government is not shipping our jobs overseas they are using our tax dollars to bring people here to take our jobs (and paying their housing, power, phone bill so that employers like Tyson can pay them less).
As for the holiday issue, wake up and smell the chicken crap. This holiday issue and this Union's behavior are only a symptom of a much bigger problem.
The people of Shelbyville can't address the "bigger problem" alone but they can influence that local Tyson facility.
This is the kind of government action (using our tax dollars to bring foreigners here to take our jobs) that drives people to destruction. Ever heard of the Boston tea party? Some might think it is time for the Shelbyville Poultry Surprise Party. I would not be shocked to read that this Tyson facility has been burned to the ground. If not burned to the ground, I suspect there are many ways people in Shelbyville can sabotage or take other deliberate actions against this Tyson Facility. I do NOT agree with such actions but I would understand them and I would not be surprised to read about such actions in the future.
As for the rest of the American population; we can join with our Shelbyville brothers and boycott Tyson. In addition, any time this Union shows it face in a workplace the workers should shout: "Remember Shelbyville" and run their representatives out on a rail.
It is time for Americans who love their kids and what to leave them with the America we had growing up, to stand up and fight these jerks in positions of power:
(1) Do it through the vote, political votes and money votes;
(2) As for Tyson, do not purchase any Tyson product and drive them to bankruptcy. This will put other employers on notice who their customers are; and
(3) Unions -- Run these Union thugs out of town on a rail when they come to your workplace.
Tyson, you need to leave this country and take your Muslim employees with you. I am sure there will be chickens there.
They say that many of the 1,000 employees are Somalis and then that there are 250, so if I am figuring correctly that is at least 3/4 that AREN'T!!! Does it matter what they want?? My child is not allowed to pray in school in MY country, yet these people have prayer rooms built in a factory? Come on! Also, Applebaum says no doubt others will follow their lead, well I for one pray they don't, because that will be the end of of the United States as we have known it.
"Every time we turn our heads the other way when we see the law flouted, when we tolerate what we know to be wrong, when we close our eyes and ears to the corrupt because we are too busy or too frightened, when we fail to speak up and speak out, we strike a blow against freedom and decency and justice."
-Robert F. Kennedy
Wow, it has taken me a long time to read all these post. Very interesting, to say the least. This guy called us prejudice because he didn't read all of our postings. If he had, he would have seen that it isn't about prejudice.
BTW, NY guy... How about if Tysons brings its plant up their to your town and all the workers with it? Sad thing is, it woujldn't matter. What they are doing affects all of America.
"That includes Muslims. Our union may be the first to negotiate this kind of agreement, but I have no doubt that others will follow our lead," Appelbaum said.
This is true. If we can't get something done about it now, this is just the first of many. Spiritfolk and Tednsuzy, Your comments were very nice. I feel I should try to remain calm when thinking of a solution, but it is very hard to do.
The first article stated that muslims used their 7 min break to pray. I am sure that christians don't do that. The reason that I didn't use any of my breaks to pray was because I didn't want people stairing at me or to look different. Perhaps if their had been a prayer room for me, I would have used it, although there were christians who did read the bible on their breaks.
The last job that I took required me to be able to work any shift any day of the week, as well as my current job. For two years I worked every Sunday, and most holidays, inclucing Christmas and Easter. I knew this when I took the job and agreed to it. I just waited my time and when I was able, I got Sundays off. My current job has me working every other Sunday. This is America. We have to work for a living. I don't get to pick and choose when I am off. The company has certain paid holidays that I was told about when I was hired for the position. Those are the days that I get off.
My daughter, who is going to be a freshman this year, is a part of the FCA and she loves it. My younger two dont' attend, but have available to them, a church group that meets after school for an hour once a week. While prayer isn't suppose to be allowed in school, christian principles are what we govern our behavior on. I am not sure what principles the muslim religion go on, but I am going to show my christian side whenever I meet a muslim.
I really don't have a problem with foreigners being here. I do think they need to understand and convert to our way of living.
I am afraid what Tysons did was create a monster. Now it doesn't matter if a Somalis works at Tysons or not. Whenever we see one, we are going to think about how THEY changed the American holiday and will all get blamed for it.
And, Tysons, btw, Romadon is not a one day holiday. It last throughout the month of October. Additionally, true followers do not eat during the day light hours. I am sure they will make it up while working.
John Howard for president!!!! But I tell the truth, I will vote for Paris Hilton before I do for either of the candidates we do have.
tmixer5, I think we are kin. Email me at jen102us@yahoo.com
I haven't had time to read all the previous post. If this has already been posted then disregard it. Tyson has entered into a joint venture with a large food processor in India, only a matter of time till sacred cows and wild monkeys and snake charmers roam the streets of Shelbyville. For more information on this subject google Tyson+India. Boycott all Tyson products.
Hey America...WAKE-UP,do not talk about numbers or unions,where`s your heads,yes turn off the welcome torch,get these people outta here,the Australians are right,I dont want to push 1 for english.We spend millions for their health care,schooling,housing,etc,etc. We have our own homeless and poor to take care of. I want my country back, back in the hands of true americans and only americans. Cultural Diversity,give me a break,when everything is CHANGED, then and only then will you say..OH my ,what happened to the place I knew,like back in the 40s to 70s. I could go on,BUT what good would it do. The Bible said this was going to happen,brother against brother and so on. The Muslims and the like ,have a new way of taking our country from us, infilteration and conquer,and why do we buy oil from our enemies? We waste time and keystrokes,GET UP and do something...There are phone #s to voice your opinion,DO it and stop winneing. The young population out there does not have the background to see the difference that is taking place from years ago. Some of us call names like bigots,that do not really see what is happening to our home land,we are loseing our "Home of the free and the land of the brave", along with our history and our religious cultures,to give in to outsiders! We have to show that we do have a backbone and boycott Tyson and others who show disrespect for their country`s pride and prosperity. There is a lot I left out, but I believe lots of us Americans understand what the big picture is really about (I think) According to what I have read above,there is a lot of good view points, and some misguided outlooks to match. We need to love our country,and especially bring GOD back into our constution and lives. Our pride and morals have vanished,but we still have to eat, Perdue it`s up to you. I remember 911 and all the people that are survivors whose lives were touched so dramatically that September morning, do you?
nascarfanatic
You are the one turning this into a political battle I never mentioned Obama. I could care less if Obama was green with yellow polka dots I still won't vote for him..Period. What's really got to stink is voting for somebody just because he isn't George Bush or Just because he is a Democrat or even better yet thinking he is the best candidate because he is Black, there are plenty of black people in America who I would have voted for, Barack Obama is NOT one of them, unfortunately!!! The very things you are for Obama on are things Obama himself has voted against in the past or worse yet voted Present. (he took no stand what-so-ever!!!) Which has been pretty much his entire campaign.
You say he is against the Iraq War yet Obama voted to fund the war Twice!!!
Obama flip flops on his issues more than John Kerry ever dared to...and they called Kerry a flip flop!
Voted against banning partial birth abortion. (Oct 2007)
and then less than a year later:
Ok for state to restrict late-term partial birth abortion. (Apr 2008)
*He promised to accept public financing before he knew he could raise more money from donors. Now that he can raise twice as much from donors as Uncle Sam would give him if he forswore private donations, of course he's pursuing the bigger bucks.
*When he spoke to an AIPAC meeting a couple of weeks back, he said he supports Israeli control of Jerusalem. The next day, trying to placate angry Arab supporters, Obama said "negotiators" should work out the contentious Jerusalem issue.
*He ripped Hillary Clinton for months for voting to list Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. Days after Clinton conceded, Obama flipped and said he supported the definition.
*Obama repeatedly vowed to meet with various heads of terror states--most notably Ahmadinejad of Iran--"without preconditions." Then, with the nomination in sight, he zigzagged: "There's no reason why we would necessarily meet with Ahmadinejad. He's not the most powerful person in Iran."
*In October, he supported NAFTA expansion. In March, campaigning in the Ohio primary, he called for a "reopening" of the trade pact's terms. This week, he called his own primary rhetoric "overheated" and said NAFTA has had a positive effect on the US economy
*After signaling opposition to nuclear power, he told Democratic governors he's open to expanding it."
*The Cuba embargo In January 2004, Obama said it was time "to end the embargo with Cuba" because it had "utterly failed in the effort to overthrow Castro." Speaking to a Cuban American audience in Miami in August 2007, he said he would not "take off the embargo" as president because it is "an important inducement for change.
*Illegal immigration In a March 2004 questionnaire, Obama was asked if the government should "crack down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants." He replied "Oppose." In a Jan. 31, 2008, televised debate, he said that "we do have to crack down on those employers that are taking advantage of the situation."
*Decriminalization of marijuana While running for the U.S. Senate in January 2004, Obama told Illinois college students that he supported eliminating criminal penalties for marijuana use. In the Oct. 30, 2007, presidential debate, he joined other Democratic candidates in opposing the decriminalization of marijuana.
CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN..... No MORE LIKE CHANGE YOU CAN COUNT ON because as soon as he takes a position, we can count on the fact he's going to change it in front of the next audience.
I could go on but I am not going to because honestly Obama supporters are no different than the very people who supported Bush and You were the first to call them Blind Sheep. What do you think you are doing? Following Blindly behind Obama.
Now I am finished speaking to you about Obama I could care less who you vote for ...and I am not sure why you should care so much who I vote for or even what my reasons are!!
I sure am glad I'm in Iraq serving our country rather than selling it out. Lets be real folks, for decades there have been folks born and raised in shelbyville and america whom are baptist, lutherin, catholic, and many other religions, tysons has descriminated against these folks by reqiring them to work on sunday and gave no alternative. Why not change the holiday off to accommodate one of these religions. I am a god believing, thank you jesus the son of god whom died on the cross for us person, and if any of these folks tried to practice their faith, all the management of tyson would do is find ways to show them the door. I know the management of tysons, I used to be a security guard there for over 2 years, and I feel if they want to have a muslim day off let the whole bunch of them move to somalia or somewhere else, I'm sure they have chickens over there. Labor day is as american as apple pie, its a tradition, americans have taken labor day off for decades with pay. Lets get some politicians elected that will not sell america out and put rules and regulations on the corporate guru's that are. I have no objections of anyone wanting to come from another country and live in america, but don't try and change it for your customs, why did you move here anyhow, you could have stayed where you were. I'm not running for president for I don't have the millions of dollars wasted on the effort, but if you want to write me in, the name is Tommy N. Hay, and I'll make damn sure america stays america, even in the work place. Will this be another issue to be pushed under the rug like the housing situation that put not only military veterans but folks born and raised in america out of a home. Seems like we'll stoop to any level so the rich can be protected while taking advantage of the unfortunate. I pray that god will put his mighty hand on these tyson management all over and let them be brought down to living the honest working live rather than the controlling dictators that keep the little man out of business. Will we ever get america back, only god knows that.
Slowy but steady "they" are taking over, like a cancer eats at you till you are gone...
Not only does the small Somali Muslim minority at the plant (250 out of 1,200, not 750 as the Union tried to con people into believing)get a Muslim religious celebration which replaces a secular American holiday meant for all, but these Somali workers have also succeeded in getting their own prayer rooms (not apparently one but two); if this isn't a "religious accommodation" and favoring one religion over all others, I don't know what is. I sure hope one of the organizations trying to defend freedom and/or religion in America takes up this issue and sues Tyson.
Do Christians get their particular religious holidays off, do they get time off to pray?--up until a few centuries ago devout Christians used to pray up to seven times each day, do Jews get their special holidays off and time off to pray?--you can spend almost all day, every day at Temple if you observe all the holidays and rituals.
Is there a chapel for Christians to pray in and a temple for Jews to pray in, too, at this plant? Somehow I suspect not and I also suspect that the Muslims would not go along with a multi-faith chapel for use by all religions because the Qur'an tells them that unbelievers are unclean and inferior beings who they should not associate with.
Finally, I think that is is crystal clear that this union sold out the majority American non-Muslim workforce. I think it quite likely--as some who claim to know have commented here--that the non-Muslims in the work force did not vote and/or were not informed that they were voting on this Eid/Labor Day issue when they voted on the contract and I also have no doubt that the Muslims, orchestrated by the local Imam, voted as a block for this contract.
It is by winning small victories like this all over America--the first few pebbles starting to roll downhill--that, over time, Muslims hope to create an avalanche of so many changes favorable to Muslims that Muslims will be able to increasingly call the shots and, eventually, take over this country. If Muslims are able to take over, it will be because Americans have been unwilling to stand up and defend our customs, our traditions and ways of doing things, our religions and our civilization.
Telling the truth about Islam, as revealed in Islam's own fundamental texts--the Qur'an, the Hadiths and Sira--as revealed through the life and actions of Muhammad, as revealed during the almost 1,400 years of Muslim history and as revealed--in our day--by the statements and actions of Muslims all over the World and in America is not bigotry or "Islamophobia." It is, simply, telling a truth that is unpalatable and unacceptable to many who hear it, for, to believe this truth would put them in a dangerous place in a far more dangerous world than the less threatening one they have constructed in their minds.
Jeremiah 5:21 comes to mind:
"Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:..."
ascarfanatic
I am a Bigot because I do not Like Obama LOL Like I said Bigot use to be a bad name but now-a-days it applies to anyone who don't see things the same as you. Which is okay I had much rather be called a Bigot than un-American any day!
-- Posted by Dianatn on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 10:07 PM
According to the Constitution, Declaration of INDEPENDENCE and our forefathers you are Un-American. It's gotta suck not voting for a candidate who believes in all the same major issues as yourself, because you find it impossible to wrap your mind around someone with the last name Obama, and black skin being more intelligent than you.
Staying on topic, I have to say, we are a hot-headed group! Percentage wise it looks like many contributors have the gut reaction to DO something (boycott Tyson's products) in response to the news that Tyson has Muslim employees taking advantage of our American way of kindness and consideration of others. The wrong is not in the American manners, but in the apparent inability to see clearly what is really happening. We are being eroded from within. However, getting a perspective (looking at the big picture), I will offer that hot-headedness often results in bad behavior. Off topic, I refer to the recent protests in South Korea getting out of hand. They got violent when they saw they were beginning to lose ground. (Here is where a link should go to the article I read). As far as I know, violence kicks in when frustration is up and restraint is down. (Violence being unplanned attacks. War is therefore not violence, but offense and defense.) That was off topic by a couple of blocks. My point is to look at the root of the problem. We have overcompensated for oppressing/abusing the Black population (through hideous slavery practices) which has in turn created a certain depravity in their culture (am I wrong?). I am a Yankee, don't "shoot" me. This overcompensation for the perceived wrong of being wary of the Muslim population (inverted prejudice) will instead lead to a more dangerous condition in their culture, namely dominance over Americans. Within the Muslim culture there is the faction that adheres to violence, not necessarily as a result of frustration and lack of restraint but as a way of "life". Osama bin Laden told us that Americans love life, but Muslims love death. They plan violence, and planned violence could define the word terrorism. The current MO of the Muslim movement in America and elsewhere is to "build a city within a city and then take over the city". My plan is to use the opportunity to win their hearts to Christ. Last year, when I met a man in the waiting room who said(in broken english) he was Muslim, I scooted over and asked him "Do you really beat your wives?" When I told him Allah and our God are NOT the same God, he looked like he had heard good news. Yes, there is hope for Muslims to be free. In conclusion, if the American way is the Christian way, and it is, then I maintain that prayer AND tough-love (Godly love) IS the correct response to Tyson's news and other unsettling stories. We all seem to want to be heard. Why else do we send our comments? Praying to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Jesus) is the best way to be heard. Our effective, fervent prayers WILL touch the heavens, and we will be heard by the One who is awaiting our cries for help. Turbulence is everywhere in America, as mentioned in many of the comments below. Tough love is saying NO to ridiculous requests for paid Muslim holidays. When things don't improve but DO get worse, we will all be praying anyway, so start now! I am sure I have missed the mark somewhere, so forgive me. But I do believe that we need to pray more than anything. God sees our plight, but He will only move when we give him the go ahead! So, go ahead! Repent and pray: they go hand in hand! And also, do DO something. I just put a bunch of Tyson chicken in my freezer, should we eat it and then not buy anymore? (or should I return it?) I'm getting an old fashioned hen-house for my backyard! Stop by for some good, fresh brown eggs, and next year for the old-hen stew...it IS the best (sweetest)! Actually, it's the old roosters that make the good soup. At least that off topic comment was about chicken:)
A few points of clarification amid the muck:
1. Somalian children do have to follow the same school dress code as everyone else. The only exception is for the head covering for the females and that has to be in a solid approved school color.
2. Most teachers are not "afraid" of Somalian students. For the most part they are well behaved and work very hard. There is an Islamic cultural trait that encourages men to teach boys and women to teach girls. This is what they are accustomed to (provided they were able to attend school in a war torn country), but they are acclimating to having opposite sex teachers in American schools.
3. The Christian religion is alive and well in Bedford County schools. Many students have Bibles in their lockers and book bags. All the middle and secondary schools here have chapters of the FCA and FCS in the schools. Some of the schools have prayer groups held by students before the start of the school day. Students are allowed to pray over their lunch. The idea that Christianity is not allowed in school is completely blown out of proportion.
4. Most employers in the area do allow regular church going people to be off on Sunday morning so they may attend church. Some will even not schedule a devout person for Sunday night or Wednesday so their employees can have their spiritual needs met. If you are a devout church attendee and you discuss it with your employer on the front end, they will work with you more often than not.
5. Both of the current candidates for president are whole hearted Christian Americans. The current smear tactics are completely fabricated by racist and/or uninformed citizens.
6. All Muslims are not terrorists, and all terrorists are not Muslims. You are much more likely to encounter a red-blooded American Christian terrorist than a Muslim one in this country. Think. . . Anthrax scare (American), Atlanta Olympics bomb scare (American), Oklahoma City Bomber (American)and these were all white males born on this soil.
Stop and think before you go completely insane over the changes in our community. There is no planned subversion of the Christian religion or our American way of life.
I came across this article on another forum and am not sure how old it is but I think it sums up everyones frustration quite nicely. I only wish our own president had this kind of courage:
Prime Minister John Howard - Australia
"....Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT.
Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.. Since the terrorist attacks onBali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society, learn the language!'
'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.' ..."
nascarfanatic
I am a Bigot because I do not Like Obama LOL Like I said Bigot use to be a bad name but now-a-days it applies to anyone who don't see things the same as you. Which is okay I had much rather be called a Bigot than un-American any day!
People here in the north are laughing at you guys down south. I mean, seriously, what does 9/11 have to do with Somali immigrant workers?? Gee, let's use that logic and say hey, all Christians are evil because a radical Christian bombed the Atlanta Olympics. Oh, did you forget that one, too? As a New Yorker who lived through 9/11, don't you EVER use that day as an excuse to spew intolerance. This country was not founded on Christianity, it was founded on freedom--the freedom to choose your religion and the freedom of speech. Besides, most of the plant workers were required to work on labor day anyways, so I'm not sure why anyone's complaining about an extra vacation day.
-- Posted by Proud American on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 1:46 PM
Let's start with you "Proud American". How can all you Northerners be up there laughing at us, when you have all moved down here. Well at least the smart ones anyway. This is all your "tolerate" fault anyway. The South tried to tell you this 147 years ago, but you know it all Yankees wouldn't listen then either. Now, here we are, another American nation falling apart thanks to NO States Rights. You must not know much about the Southern folks as you think you do. I can assure of this though, whether Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina or any other great state in our "Union", were to be ran by state governments, this B.S. would not be happening. The people would actually have the means to physically remove these elected officials from their positions if they sold out their pay rate to temporary employment agencies, sold out their American dollar for the "Amero", or sold out their work force for illegal slave labor (i.e. Mexicans, Somalians). Now here we are again being told what to do by some Yankee who does'nt know his a@# from a hole in the ground. Let's use HIS logic, one hand he is telling us that we should NEVER refer to 9/11 again because his tolerance has been hurt. As if the North or New York were the only people affected by 9/11. I've got news for you jacka@#, Americans from all over our country have fought and died since then so you can sit on your soapbox and tell me when and where to use my freedom. HOW DARE YOU!!! So I will now use my freedom to tell you to kiss my Southern a@#. And on the other hand he is a "Tolerant" Northerner. He only makes remarks about Southerners. Not very tolerant eh. Well here's a little more Southern enlightenment for you. We are intolarant to some and not afraid to say it. If we feel whether black, white, asian or hispanic, that we, our family, our friends and our neighbors are being taken advantage of, we will stand up and make our voice heard and fight to make it right. We don't walk by strangers everyday such as in the North, we walk by neighbors. So while we in the South wait for you to fix what you screwed up 147 years ago, we'll even talk to the Yankees.
Speaking of which, thank you drawfrank, now there's a good Northern neighbor.
People should be aware that tho Tysons has 8 paid holiday's, that the only 2 they actually get off are Thanksgiving and Christmas. And I have seen them work on Thanksgiving too. And I do know what I am talking about.
nascarfanatic,
It is because the other workers were not even told about the vote. Have you noticed each press release Tyson and the Union has different stories each time? I told you from the beginning there was only 250, you stated 700, why? you believe the Lying Union over me. I have no reason to lie, as you have seen they are playing damage control.
The problem is none of the local non-somalians were told of the vote.
Bigots? Who do you people think you are? Frankly I think that we need to take the welcome sign off the Statue Of Liberty. It reads:
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to be breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door."
It should read like this:
"Take back your rested, your newly rich, your unhuddled masses, who are taking our freedom from us. The nasty, smelly, scarf clad women, with big fat pregnant bellies. Send them back, please get them out, I want my freedom back. Cause I'm locking the door and putting out my lamp. Alla take your people back."
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Okay so I'm silly, but I am tired of all of our freedoms being taken from me and given to these political refuges. If they come here, they should be the ones who change. Tysons has been hiring people from other countries for years. If these so called Somalians want to be treated equal then they are the ones who need to change, as we would if we were in thier country. There have been people threatened by these Somalian men, yet when a grievence is filed the Somalian comes out the winner. BIGOTS???? I don't think so. American employees are the ones that are discrimated against at Tyson. It's always been that way as far back as I can remember. Yes I am a SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN!!!! And darn proud of it too. But if there is going to be special places for them to worship an idol god, why then are not private places for other religions to worship? I am tired of all the ileagals and political refuges who come here and recieve public assistance, while we struggle to make ends meet day to day. They get TennCare while our own people are dying because they have no insurance. They get food stamps, while we have to skip over the good healthy and scrap to find marked down things.
I am so tired of employers saying that the American people are lazy. How lazy can we be if we are the ones who worked in the factories that made them rich? Yeah, I guess I am a bigot, but wouldn't Jeff Foxworthy have a ball at Tysons? LOL
I say put them all on a ship and send them back. If they want to be free, let them fight for that freedom like our ancestors did. But let them do it in thier homeland. Tyson executives are the most two faced people I know. All they and the union are doing right now is covering thier own tails. Lord help us please.
All I have to say to the Tyson Officals is:
If you hire all these non Americans at your factory," Why don't you pack up and move to their countries?"
You should of been forced out of business the very first time you were caught with the illegals.You need to hire the ones in this town,who needs a job to support their families. Not the ones who are sending their money back to their countries and getting all the freebees in this county. Taking away from those who really need it. Your illegals you have working for you are "GREEDY not NEEDY".Get back on the boats they got here in and go back to where they came from.......
The New York Times article has a quote from a union representive that states Tyson has worked on Labor Day for the last 23 years in a row.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/us/06m......
-- Posted by Richard on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 12:01 AM
GREAT COMMENT! So, exactly what is the fuss about? Since they are STILL getting paid for 8 holidays, and many haven't had this day off anyways? Ahhh, it wasn't until a "journalist" decided to have his news story on the front page of the paper as if it were the only thing important in our county. Right...
I recall reading in the T-G that there is a mosque here in Shelbyville. I don't remember where it said it's located though.
Why would he not visit the wounded soldiers in Germany.......? I think we know. Does that make me a bigot because Obama is black? NO! It means I do not like someone that can't respect me!!!! Me as an American and as a soldier of this great nation!!!! So vote your mind... That is what has made this country great... Getting off the soapbox now...
-- Posted by SteelerFan on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 8:49 PM
Because his trip wasn't to politicize wounded soldiers in Germany. He addressed a crowd of 200,000 (hmm 5 times the population of Bedford County) about what we as the United States must do to become a respectable nation again. Not bullishly starting wars, and thinking we are the only opinion of NATO or the U.N. that matters.
And guess what, the amount of problems facing every day Americans far outweighs the problems we can't control in middle eastern countries. If only John McCain would visit cities in THIS COUNTRY, he'd know that.
If you actually read Jkelley's comment you'd understand why I label her as a bigot, because even though everything she states was FACTUALLY WRONG, she still believes it... That is bigotry. Same can be said for DianaTN.
She's pro gay rights, pro choice, against the wars (but loves the soldiers) and wants justice for the mortgage lenders, YET SHE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST A CANDIDATE WHO IS FOR THE VERY SAME THINGS... And she doesn't have to tell us why she doesn't like him, because if she did, she'd reveal an inner hatred towards people who don't look like her, one that McCain has problem with too.
The difference between the 700 reported the other day and the 250 today is that 450 of them are illegals and they're trying to hide them.
Very good Austy..... I would have been more tactful, but I agree. This Nation was founded by immigrants. Most all went through proper channels and wanted to be American and respected American values. We get no respect now.... Others always adapting to others to be politically correct... The heck with that.. We need to get down to the real root before we are sunk.......
Nascarfanatic..... Wow! Calling the kettle black!!! Or am I not to say that anymore? Look I know that he didn't sware in on the Koran. Some people tend to believe everything they hear, but to call someone a bigot because they don't like someone for what they stand for, that is outragous. I can't stand Barack Hussein Obama. I am military and a very strong supporter of the American way. Obama is questionable. Why did he not want his wife's thesis paper published, Why did he take the American flag off his jet? The only reason he wears the lapel pin is because of pressure. Yes, there are several instances of dis-respect during the National Anthem. I know when I hear it played or playing, I stop what I am doing and pay respect. That is because all the people that have died for this great nation deserve as much. Why would he not visit the wounded soldiers in Germany.......? I think we know. Does that make me a bigot because Obama is black? NO! It means I do not like someone that can't respect me!!!! Me as an American and as a soldier of this great nation!!!! So vote your mind... That is what has made this country great... Getting off the soapbox now...
I would like to see any american, christian go to a company that runs 24 7 and put on their application, that they need to have Sunday off to go to church. The application would be filled and lost. This is the reason that the Samolis holiday should not be honored. The Samolis knew when they were hired they would be working on their holiday. Also there are business in the U.S.A that stay open on our Christmas Holiday. If you aacceptthe job,you are expected to work the holiday. Why are the Samolis treat differfuly from american.
I am so outraged by such a petty, pathetic, disgusting un-American act of greed. When those 'Samalians' or whatever came to our country they were given an opportunity to escape their sad and sorry situation, and you are telling me they managed to revoke a paid American holiday and replace it with a foreign holiday??? So, if I move to Samalia, they will revoke one of their religious holidays and replace it with Labor Day? TYSON! YOU ARE A BUNCH OF SAD AND FINANCIALLY RETARDED IDIOTS, YOU MAY SAVE MONEY BY CHEAP LABOR, BUT WHERE THE HELL DO YOU THINK 95% OF YOUR BUSINESS COMES FROM??? The fathers of our nation built this country on freedom, HOWEVER, shall we remember that this country was also built on CHRISTIANITY??? Not muslim religion. The children of America aren't even allowed to honor this great nation by reciting the Pledge of Alliegiance or pray in school!? Yet those Salamanders are allowed to kick off their shoes and start going into a convulsive state and pray to THEIR GOD??? That doesn't even make sense! Now I hate to critisize another religion, but when it comes down to losing our pride in ours and being forced to watch a give up a holiday of ours then it makes me damn mad, as it should any self- respecting American. Okay, so, it's only Tyson today, but what about tommorrow, huh? What about the day after that or next week, huh? You PATHETIC, STUPID, LOWLIFE, HORRIBLE, DENSE people at Tyson can kiss my WHITE AMERICAN ASS!!! Sure, a lot of our ancestors were immigrants, but they worked hard, died, suffered, and EARNED their way into this country and all those Samalians have to do is learn English and all about the history of America...how, ironic? You will not be finding a cent of my nor my family and friends money going towards your filthy un-American product! And if that makes me a bigot than by God I am proud to be in the only place that allows freedom of speech for me to bitch about it...soak it up now my fellow American born, American breds, because before long it will become the United States of Every Country but America and we all will be forced to pray in THEIR native toungue and start betraying all of our countries good morals and beliefs, and it will have all started because of some fucking idiots at Tyson decided to revoke an American holiday and replace it with a foreign day. Welcome to America folks, land of the weak standards, home of the dead values.
P.S. They won't be putting Anthrax or other deadly foreign poisons or diseases into are chicken will they??? Just wondering?
If being a Bigot means not conforming to Non American Values, Standing up for what I believe in, voicing my opinion or choosing which products my dollar buys then:
I have no problem being a Bigot..I have come to learn there are worse things besides being a Bigot.
Let's don't forget that Obama swore in on the Koran when he took that senators office. Let's don't forget that he does not respect our flag or our national anthem. There will be lots more of these "changes" (Obama's favorite word!), if we vote him in for our president. Where does it stop?
-- Posted by jkelley on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 1:18 PM
That is my question to you, where do the LIES stop??? He swore in on his OWN FAMILY HOLY BIBLE... He doesn't respect our flag? Hmm, prove it; there are many images of him holding his hand over his heart, and he wears that over symbolized "flag pin" on his lapel now... You, ma'am are a bigot and the stupid train keeps on rolling.
We were told VERY FEW AMERICAN UNION WORKERS showed up to vote. When you read the paper they cannot decide how many Somali's work at Tysons. Heck, Tyson don't know how many Somali's works there. Looks like the Union has taken the stance to ZIP Their LIPS.
I just find it had to believe an American Holiday... such as "LABOR DAY" would be traded for a nothing day to Americans. When you live in America you need to observe American Holidays! Love it or LEAVE It!
I am not buying Tyson's chicken now that I found out I am a bigot . I plan on sending another E mail and inform Tyson.... I am not as much of a bigot as I am an AMERICAN! There will not be Tyson Chicken cooked at my house for Labor day or any other day. Hope the Somali's like chicken...
I wonder if they will have a Somali Day at Bedford County schools. I dare EVERY parent to wrap their children's head in a baby diaper and send them to school for just one day! Make sure your children know how to kneel on the floor every hour, on the hour and touch their head to the floor and say ALI BABIE. I can see it now in the head lines. "Students wearing Pissy baby diapers on head", "Does not conform with new dress code".
Sign me UNION... but not the RWDSU (Like they are really a UNION). I predict a big picnic for the RWDSU committe... hope they like chicken.
And for anyone that does not think there is a boycott.... why did Tysons issue a statement on TV?
Look, ok, the Muslims have their prayer places, but I want a prayer place at this plant for ALL other religions; AND I request that all Christian holidays are observed and all Jewish holidays are observed, etc. Political Correctness shall be the downfall of this country.
btw, Im going to Tampa Bay bb.
The finger pointing at liberals on this issue is inane. Those "liberals" have taken on several issues in response to Tyson inclusive of - contract poultry production by farmers, fairness to employees, working conditions at the plants and environmental pollution from both production and processing. Those "liberals" understand the tradeoffs between a cheap food policy, and the social and environmental problems that arise from that, including immigrant labor.
SEEMS LIKE TO ME IF YOU STAND AGAINST ALL THIS LIBERAL HORSE SH*** THEY CALL YOU RACIST OR BIGOT WELL IF IT MEANS BEING A TRUE PATRIOT THAT IM A BIGOT IM DA** PROUD OF IT.I DONT AGREE WITH GIVING ALL WE HAVE TO A BUNCH OF IMMGRANTS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT CABALE ENOUGH OF RUNNIN THIER OWN PILE OF DUST.TO LONG HAVE AMERICANS FOUGHT TO BUILD SOMETHING GREAT AND WONDERFULL AND PLACE OF OUR OWN JUST TO HAVE OUR SO CALLED LEADERS AND ALL THESE IGNORANT LIBERALS GIVE IT AWAY TO ANY UNDESERVING IMMAGRANT. IM QUITE SURE MR. CARNEY AND HIS LIBERAL VIEWS WILL ERASE AND BAN THIS NAME BECAUSE HE DOESNT ACCEPT RACIST VIEWS ON HIS UT THERE IS NOTHING RACIST ABOUT WHAT IVE SAID I AM AMERICAN AND WILL SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT IS OURS BEING WASTED AND THROWN AWAY TO ANYONE FROM ANYWHERE COMING HERE SUCKING US DRY AND PISSING ON OUR FLAGS AND TREATING US LIKE CRAP. LIKE I SAID IF ITS BIGOTRY TO BE AMERICAN WHICH IT IS IF IT ISNT LIBERAL LOVING HORSE SH*** THEN IM GLAD I AM REAL PROUD OF IT AMERICAN PRIDE FOLKS AMERICAN PRIDE GOD BLESS THOSE WHO STAND FOR AMERICANS AND REAL AMERICAN VALUES WHO DONT P**S IT AWAY ON UN AMERICAN TRASH. SORRY AMERICAN ANCESTERS WHO BUILT AND FOUNDED OUR LAND BUT TODAY WE ARE ALL CONSIDERED BIGOTS AND UNACCEPTED TO BAD THEY DIDNT KNOW AND COULD HAVE CHANGED IT TO WHERE IT WASNT THIS WAY.
They are LYING about the number of Somalis that work there, Mr.Lawson you are full of it!!!!
This whole thing would be laughable if it wasn't true. Not a religious issue but a labor concession....hmmmm. Gee did the people at Tyson not recognize that they were demanding a RELIGIOUS holiday or did they think that it was just some random day off in the fall?
1000 union workers of which 250 roughly are Somalis. Supposedly passed by an 80% approval. That would mean 800 approved. Assuming all the Somalis approved, that would mean 550 non-Somalis approved. Hello Dept of Labor......anyone listening??? Hello.....
Oh and thanks Stuart Applebaum for letting know we're bigots. we wouldn't have known that without your input. Let me return the favor by letting you know that you're an idiot.
People on these blogs talk big about taking back America, boycotting Tyson, contacting our political representatives etc. If all these bloggers were in a room together - I doubt they could all agree on a day for Christmas, much less a course of action. Bedford Countians are not that attuned to Populism. But if I am proven wrong, then do your homework, understand all sides of this issue, put together your policy and proceed. Dont be waivered by jingoism, and hidden agendas. Anything less is just hot air. But, I am afraid that at the end of the day cheap chicken will rule.
This story is not getting much press here in Delaware and the N.E. in general. That is probably because we are "tolerant"--and stupid. Tyson's action is a national disgrace. No one should ever buy from them again. They also are disingenuous. Lawson first says this has nothing to do with religion. Then, as noted in your story, it seems to be all about religion. Will Tyson cave when the Muslims want to repeal the Christmas Day holiday or the Memorial Day holiday? I would not be surprised.
There also seems to be some question about numbers. One article I read said that the plant employs 900 Muslims, while now it may be only 250 or so. Hard to see how 80% of the union employees voted to cash in Labor Day. The feds should look into the vote, but that will not happen unless the good folks in your area demand it through their representatives in Congress.
Of course, the Union is a bad as Tyson. Appelbaum may be a good union leader, but he is a poor American.
Keep up the fight good people of Shelbyville. People all over the country side with you. I will attempt to email a copy of a letter I wrote to my local paper, the Delaware State News.
I have been reading the comments and understand why so many of us are upset about what Tyson has done. I for one will not buy Tyson. But let me throw something else out.... They are building prayer rooms for the Muslims in this facility. Do the Muslim employees have to clock out before they pray or are they getting paid to pray on the job. If that were you or I it would be unheard of. It sounds to me that the people of Bedford County are tired of being a minority in our own country. I know I am. Just My Opinion. I think we are all still entitled to that... aren't we?
I think everyone has the right to practice their religion in their own home. As my child now has to wear the new dress code to school so should all the students in the school. Think of the school board and how they practically shoved this dress code down our throats. They knew what would happen before they even had the first public meeting and had made up their minds to pass it at that time. Just like Tyson you all can boycott chicken all you want but they figure you'll get tired of beef all the time anyways and come back. This will be old news in a couple of months. The real issue is we the AMERICANS have been sold out by our own government and were just standing by and taking it.
Sometimes I can't stand how bigoted and hateful southern Christians can be. As a Christian myself, I am tired of feeling ashamed of these type of remarks.
Of all the things to get enraged over the practices of Tyson, the decision of one plant's employees to switch from one paid holiday to another is not one of them.
Reading the remarks posted on here makes me think that to be free in America is meant only for us Christians...
Truth be told, Tyson has every right to extend a special holiday in support of their underpaid migrant workers, but I have a right to boycott their products. Through their desire for cheap labor, small communities are being ripped apart at the seems. Sure, we pay a little less for chicken, but at what cost? It is not bigoted to be concerned about the devaluing of homes in a community. It is not bigoted to be concerned about crime, schools and an already overburdened healthcare system. I live in Texas and will be spreading the word regarding the boycott! Shame on you Tyson!
People - we need to bombard our senators and congressmen about this - they need to take action and we need to remind them they are in this office because we elected them - they are not indispensible!!
Personally, I find it ridiculous that the Somalian children can wear whatever they want to school and our children are subjected to rather "weird" dress standards. I guess I need a medical statement that my daughter can wear her flip flops to school so that medically her feet won't stink!!!
i think you are right "go figure" i know that night shift is at least 80% somalian if not more and day shift is at least 50%. I don't care what they say!! That is the only reason that holiday was given to them...no one shows up to work ...but they are not telling that. If they were going to do the right thing they should have left the labor day holiday intact and gave the somalis people there day. I just don't believe the union went in there with the idea of taking one of our national holidays away and giving the somailis a holiday. This holiday was allowed because it benifits tyson foods....plain and simple. On labor day workers will be at work because the somalis people don't recognize our day and on there day no one would be there!! This could really set a dangerous trend because "Thanksgiving and Xmas couid next. The somalis dont recognize those holidays either. I don't believe that this decision was made by management at the tyson plant it probably was acknowledged at a much higher level in Arkansas. Depending on how well it goes here i gurantee this is going to happen at all tyson plants, i also know there are basically good people down there in management and supervisor positions that deep down in there hearts have to know that this situation as well as other situations in America is slowly eroding the American way, and I hate to say it but i feel tyson foods is a very big part of that problem. I don't believe that there is no country in the world that would have allowed this to happen. Its all about the money just like i've said before. "By any means necessary"
We need a poll here ..
Per Mr. Randy Hadley (source nytimes.com) Our Tyson workers have worked the past 23 Labor Days. Last year they nearly had to close the plant because nearly all of the Somali workers didn't work on Id al-Fitr.
What do you think would happen, if the workers whom wanted to celebrate Labor Day, didn't go to work. Would they receive the same treatment (a day with no pay) as the Somali workers did last year?
An even better question is why wasn't Labor Day important to the Union for the past 23 years for our American workers? We greatly out number the Somali.
You know what "PROUD AMERICAN" you keep your NOSE UP NORTH & DON"T you worry about us LITTLE ole' SOUTHERNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No ONE asked you to support us we will fight this battle ourselves we definitely don't need you .. AND just for the RECORD its YA'LL not YOU GUYS!! LOL & I might ad that 9/11/2001 didn't just affect you as I understand you live in New York, but it affected this WHOLE country. I know of people from this GOOD VOLUNTEER STATE who went up to NEW YORK to do anything they could as I also have someone from TN who lives in NY so!! LOL OH & I need not forget what the real issue is that we are letting people who don't care anything about this country in to take things away that people have fought so hard for us to have so yeah I think we have a right to be upset maybe you can move these inconsiderate people up close to you MAYBE we can get TYSON relocated to a neighborhood near YOU.
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE
WINCHESTER DIVISION
BIRDA TROLLINGER, ROBERT MARTINEZ, TABETHA EDDINGS AND DORIS JEWELL, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs,
v.
TYSON FOODS, INC. a Corporation
Defendant.
COMPLAINT
I. NATURE OF ACTION
1. This is a class action brought on behalf of all persons legally authorized to be employed in the United States ("U.S.") who have been employed by defendant Tyson Foods, Inc. (Tyson), reportedly the world's largest processor and marketer of poultry, as hourly wage earners at 15 of its facilities throughout the U.S. during the last four years.
2. The Complaint contends that all such persons have been victimized by a scheme perpetrated by Tyson to depress the wages paid to its employees by knowingly hiring a workforce substantially comprised of undocumented illegal immigrants for the express purpose of depressing wages (hereafter "the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme").
3. Tyson perpetrates the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme through a complex and highly disciplined network of recruiters and temporary employment agencies, which obtain illegal immigrants, and perform additional services to facilitate their illegal employment by Tyson including transporting them to the U.S., obtaining housing in the U.S., and manufacturing and/or falsifying identification documents.
4. While the work at Tyson plants is grueling and extremely dangerous, the company avoids paying market wages to its employees as a result of the successful perpetration of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme.
5. The Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme violates the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq. (RICO) and has directly and proximately caused the wages paid to plaintiffs and the class members to be substantially depressed, i.e., below the level of wages paid by other employers of unskilled laborers in the areas surrounding the 15 Tyson facilities who participate in the Illegal Immigrant hiring Scheme.
II. PARTIES AND JURISDICTION
6. Plaintiffs Trollinger, Martinez, Eddings and Jewell, U.S. citizens, were employed at one of the 15 Tyson facilities perpetrating the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme. That facility is in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
7. Tyson is a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware with its principal place of business in Arkansas. As alleged below, it has committed a pattern of racketeering activity in this district and is currently under indictment in this Court in case No. 4:01-CR-61, U.S. v. Tyson Foods, et al., for some of the illegal activities comprising the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme ("the Indictment"). A copy of the Indictment is attached to and made a part of this Complaint.
8. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this case pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §1331 and 18 U.S.C. § 1964(a).
III. CLASS ALLEGATIONS
9. This action is brought and may be maintained as a class action pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(2) and (3). Plaintiffs bring this action on behalf of themselves and all other persons, legally authorized to be employed in the U.S., who have been employed by Tyson at the 15 Tyson facilities located in the communities enumerated at pages 42-43 of the Indictment ("the Class").
10. The Class for whose benefit this action is brought is so numerous that joinder of all Class members is impracticable. The actual number can only be ascertained through discovery of Tyson's books and records.
11. Among the questions of fact and law that are common to the Class are:
Whether Tyson is engaging in the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme;
Whether Tyson is doing so in order to depress its employees' wages;
Whether the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme has caused class members' wages to be depressed;
Whether Tyson conducts the Illegal Employment Hiring Scheme through its network of recruiters and temporary employment agencies;
Whether the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme violates the Immigration and Nationality Act and RICO; and
Whether Tyson should be enjoined from conducting further racketeering activity and further association with its network of recruiters and temporary employment agencies.
12. Plaintiffs' claims are typical of those of the Class in that they arise from the damages they have suffered as a result of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme. Plaintiffs seek no relief that is antagonistic to or adverse to other Class members.
13. Plaintiffs are committed to the vigorous prosecution of this action, and have retained counsel who are competent in the prosecution of class actions, RICO and complex litigation. Plaintiffs will fairly and adequately protect and represent the interests of the Class.
14. Questions of law or fact common to the Class predominate over issues affecting individual Class members. A class action is the only appropriate method for the fair and efficient adjudication of this controversy for the following reasons, among others:
The individual amounts of damages involved, while not insubstantial, are generally not large enough to justify individual actions;
The costs of individual actions would unreasonably consume the amounts that would be recovered;
Individual actions would unduly burden the judicial system; and
Individual actions brought by Class members would create a risk of inconsistent results and would be unnecessarily duplicative of this litigation.
15. Plaintiffs anticipate no difficulty in the management of this action because the evidence proving the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme is ascertainable through discovery, the identities of the Class members are known to Tyson, and damages can be calculated to a reasonable certainty through expert testimony.
IV. STATEMENT OF OPERATIVE FACTS
A. The Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme: Years of Racketeering Activity
16. For at least the last several years, Tyson, which claims to be the world's largest processor and marketer of poultry and employs over 120,000 workers, has aggressively engaged in an effort to reduce labor costs by driving down employee wages. Its primary strategy for doing so is the knowing employment of undocumented, illegal immigrants for unskilled positions in its processing facilities.
17. Illegal immigrants, because of their impoverished economic state, their desperate need for employment and their illicit presence in this country, tend to work for wages significantly below what a labor market comprised of U.S. citizens would pay.
18. Illegal immigrants can also be exploited in other ways as well. Owing to their constant fear of apprehension by law enforcement authorities, Tyson's illegal immigrant workers tolerate deplorable workplace conditions and do not file worker's compensation claims when they are injured on the job.
19. Tyson is unable to attract large numbers of illegal immigrants to work for the company on its own. Consequently, it relies upon a large network of recruiters and temporary employment services to identify qualified candidates for low-wage unskilled labor, induce those candidates to work for the company and often provide assistance in transportation to one of its facilities, provide housing (frequently in homes owned and rented out by Tyson executives at over-market rates) and other amenities.
20. Tyson pays its recruiters and temporary employment services a fee for each illegal immigrant worker it hires.
21. In exchange for these benefits, recruiters must submit to a regimen of strict discipline set by Tyson. This regimen requires recruiters to carefully screen candidates so as employ only those with personality traits consistent with Tyson's desired worker profile; typically, these are illegal immigrants who feel vulnerable, submissive, have little knowledge of the U.S. legal system and a pressing need for immediate employment.
22. Tyson instructs its recruiters and temporary employment services to coach illegal immigrant workers to: (i) deny, if asked, that they have been smuggled into the U.S.; and (ii) credibly present verification documents to Tyson which both the recruiters and Tyson know are falsified, all in an elaborate scheme to hide the illegal employment activity. Many such illegal immigrants are recruited in Mexico and have their passage into the U.S. paid for by Tyson's recruiters. The recruiters then meet the illegal workers as soon as they are smuggled across the U.S-Mexico border and transport them to the 15 Tyson facilities, at Tyson's expense.
23. The result is that Tyson receives a constant stream of illegal immigrants seeking immediate employment. These workers accept unskilled positions at a starting wage of approximately $9/hour, no questions asked.
24. Workers at other facilities in the areas where the 15 Tyson plants at issue are located typically receive significantly higher starting salaries.. The difference between this wage level and the wages paid by Tyson is the direct result of the success of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme.
25. Tyson employment personnel hire these illegal immigrants with a wink and a nod, knowing they are being presented with falsified identification documents in order to establish work eligibility (many having been falsified by Amador Anchondo-Rascon in Shelbyville, Tennessee) or having been recruited by carefully selected temporary employment services who hire only known illegal immigrants, at Tyson's request.
26. Plaintiffs are not aware of the precise number of illegal immigrants Tyson employs at the 15 facilities, but on information and belief Plaintiffs allege that the number employed is over 250 per year at each facility, year in and year out, since the knowing employment of illegal immigrants became a RICO predicate offense in 1996. Plaintiffs believe approximately half of Tyson's workers at the 15 facilities are illegal immigrants, and the vast majority were hired by Tyson with actual knowledge of their illegal status and further, with knowledge that they were smuggled into the U.S. and harbored in the U.S.
27. Additionally, the act of knowingly employing an illegal immigrant constitutes harboring that person, and each time Tyson knowingly hires an illegal immigrant and/or provides such person with housing, it harbors that person from detection.
V. THE RACKETEERING ACTS
28. In order to perpetrate the Illegal Hiring Scheme, Tyson has knowingly hired illegal workers who have been harbored and/or smuggled, in violation of § 274(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ("the Act"), which provides that: "Any person who, during any 12-month period, knowingly hires for employment at least 10 individuals with actual knowledge that the individuals are aliens… shall be fined under Title 18, or imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both." 8 U.S.C.§ 1324(a)(1)(B). Plaintiffs believe and thereon allege that Tyson has committed at least ten violations of the Act in each year since 1996, with actual knowledge that each individual hired was smuggled into the U.S. and harbored once here, and that its violations are ongoing, continuous, and will not stop without judicial intervention.
29. The violation of the Act is one of the predicate offenses under RICO. 18 U.S.C.§ 1961(1)(F).
VI. THE RICO ENTERPRISEs
30. As detailed above, Tyson has formed ongoing associations with its recruiters and temporary employment services for the purpose of executing an essential aspect of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme: the identification and recruitment for employment of illegal immigrants who are willing to be exploited by Tyson. Tyson could not successfully conduct the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme without this enterprise, and its success in executing the Scheme for several years is the result of the discipline and single-mindedness it brings to this disparate group scattered throughout the country. Through Tyson management techniques, the group has functioned as a unit for years and continues to supply Tyson with the illegal workers it needs to depress workers' wages.
31. Tthe recruiters and temporary employment services also permit Tyson to shift responsibility for much of the illegal activity to others, thereby using the enterprises as a front to facilitate more racketeering activity than it could possibly commit on its own.
32. For example, Amador Anchondo-Rascon, who has entered a guilty plea to one count of the Indictment, has been described as "the perfect go-between for Tyson plant managers searching for low-wage workers" because of his exposure to the immigrant community in Shelbyville, Tennessee through his operation of a successful grocery store specializing in foods favored by Mexicans. During the last three years he sold thousands of illegal immigrants fraudulent identification documents from the store, as an informal Tyson employee. Tyson then accepted the fraudulent documents, no questions asked, even though it knew the workers were ineligible to be employed in the U.S.
33. Each association of Tyson and its recruiters and temporary employment services servicing each of the 15 Tyson facilities constitutes an association-in-fact enterprise affecting interstate or foreign commerce pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1961(4). However, the recruiters have existences apart from their affiliation with Tyson. They conduct both legitimate and illicit activities. Legitimately, they recruit legal workers for other employers. The illicit activities, facilitating Tyson's Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme through recruiting illegal immigrant workers and/or manufacturing fraudulent identification documents at Tyson's request, are concealed and separated from their legitimate activities.
34. Tyson's demand for illegal immigrant workers requires extra care from the temporary employment services because Tyson's need for illegal immigrants is difficult to satisfy and conceal simultaneously. Thus, these employment services have typically changed their manner of conducting business in order to meet Tyson's requirements, and they do so under the constant threat that Tyson will terminate its lucrative alliance if they fail to fulfill Tyson's demands.
35. As stated above, Tyson, a "person" within the meaning of RICO, has committed a pattern of racketeering activity (the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme) through the association-in-fact enterprises with its recruiters and temporary employment services, since 1996. Section 1962(c) of RICO makes it illegal "[f]or any person… associated with any enterprise… to conduct or participate, directly or indirectly, in the conduct of such enterprise's affairs… through a pattern of racketeering activity."
36. Plaintiffs and Class members have been damaged in their business and property rights through their employment at depressed wages by Tyson. These injuries are the direct, proximate and intended result of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme, which is targeted at Tyson's employees. These injuries were the intended and foreseeable consequence of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme and are compensable pursuant to Section 1964(c) of RICO.
37. There is only one reason for Tyson's perpetration of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme: Tyson knows that the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme drives down the wages paid to all the workers at its 15 facilities.
38. As intended, the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme has driven the wages paid to the legal workers at the 15 facilities well below the wages they would otherwise be receiving.
PLAINTIFFS' EMPLOYMENT BY TYSON
39. Plaintiffs Trollinger, Eddings, Jewell and Martinez, all U.S. citizens, were employed as hourly workers at Tyson's Shelbyville, Tennessee facility at various periods, since 1996.
40. At all relevant times, their wages were depressed as a result of the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme.
VII. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
Plaintiffs demand judgment and other relief as follows:
A. Certification of the Class pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 23(b)(3);
B. Judgment in an amount equal to three times the damage caused the putative Class by Tyson's racketeering activity, the Illegal Immigrant Hiring Scheme, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.§. 1964(c);
C. Preliminary and permanent injunctions enjoining Tyson from any further racketeering activity or any further association with its recruiters and temporary employment agencies;
I know someone who works at Sanford. They wash their feet in the sinks at work. He won't go in the area where they work anymore because it is so nasty.
Later, John Quincy Adams answered the question as to why, next to Christmas, was the Fourth of July this most joyous and venerated day in the United States. He answered: "...Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity?" Sounds like the founding of a Christian nation to me. John Quincy Adams went on to say that the biggest victory won in the American Revolution was that Christian principles and civil government would be tied together In what he called an "indissoluble" bond. The Founding Fathers understood that religion was inextricably part of our nation and government. The practice of the Christian religion in our government was not only welcomed but encouraged.
Yes... this country was founded on Christanity.
Here are quotes from two of the FOUNDING FATHERS
Ben Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention, said: "...God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?"
John Adams stated so eloquently during this period of time that; "The general principles on which the fathers achieved Independence were ... the general principles of Christianity ... I will avow that I then believed, and now believe, that the general principles of Christianity are as etemal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God."
Tyson closed 2 plant's in Nebraska due to TB brought in by Somali Refugees.
http://cjonline.com/stories/112507/kan_2...
OSHA 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
I think the Union is missing the point here, the point is, Baptist's, Catholics, Jewish, people don't get catered to for their beliefs. We are bigots? No, we are people whom give fair treatment, but want fair treatment in return. I'm not sure about this, but I do think that in most unions you elect your representatives. So I guess next election, the Tyson employees should seek to put someone else in the hot seat.
As far as calling us bigots goes .. Uneducated people usually begin the name calling when they have nothing else productive to say.
All I can say is Tyson you brought them here and now they are members of this union at your plant, it is your problem that you created on your own. Just another big corp. trying to make more profit for your investors and big bonuses while selling out your neighbors and Americans.
Good luck and hope you eat your own chicken because I want be anymore.
People here in the north are laughing at you guys down south. I mean, seriously, what does 9/11 have to do with Somali immigrant workers?? Gee, let's use that logic and say hey, all Christians are evil because a radical Christian bombed the Atlanta Olympics. Oh, did you forget that one, too? As a New Yorker who lived through 9/11, don't you EVER use that day as an excuse to spew intolerance. This country was not founded on Christianity, it was founded on freedom--the freedom to choose your religion and the freedom of speech. Besides, most of the plant workers were required to work on labor day anyways, so I'm not sure why anyone's complaining about an extra vacation day.
I wasnt trying to be disrespectful in saying "big wig". So I am very sorry if I offended anyone.
I was just simply trying to say that if Tyson was doing something so bad and illegal that people that were in Upper Managment or anywhere on the work chain there thought it better to find there own ways out of the situation then SHAME ON TYSON for putting them in that type of horrible situation!!
It just seems to me that the same thing is going on as it was back then when all that happened. Tyson only cares about $$$$$$... That is all this boils down too.
I hope they go belly up (after every legalized citizen there quits and finds another job first!!)
I have asked and been told that the Somalis will wear clothing like our children but the girls will wear their head wrap in a solid color. The federal government has said that they are allowed to wear what is considered part of their religious needs. This is not a Bedford County rule but a federal government rule. I was told the Somalis had a dress code for their schools in their country. The school board can not change a federal regulation.............they have to abide by them. I guess WE all need to talk to our representatives in Washington and see about changing those provisions for religious protections for some if we want them to attend our schools without the head wrap.
jkelley.... Obama wasn't sworn in on the Koran. That was a myth. Obama used a Bible that belonged to him and Dick Chaney verified this because he administered the oath.
There was one who did. "Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., an American convert to Islam and the first Muslim elected to Congress. Ellison used a Koran that once belonged to Thomas Jefferson, borrowing the rare book from the Library of Congress."
We are all upset about Tyson....But now that school is getting ready to start let's find out if they have to wear the same thing as our children do to school...I was told that they do not !!!! Because it has to do with their religion...I thought religon was not allowed in schools....
"I will boycot Tyson products as well as ALL of my family. Hope that many of you choose to do the same. Show Tyson that this is America and WE WILL STAND UP FOR IT. Since Tyson chose to hire so many Samolis then it is their problem when their employees dont show up for work on a holiday...do what every other employer would do in such case, dock their pay, repremand them or FIRE them for not showing up for work. Then replace them with hard working Americans that will work on THAT day. Save chickens Eat Samolis instead.
-- Posted by AmericanWoman on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 12:17 PM "
That last sentence in your comment - priceless. I can see why the Somalis don't want anything to do with you. I'd stay away from your cannibal self, too.
I have to agree and disagree with several of the points made above by other's. I am not here to judge people's personal preferences and religions, but Tyson has gotton out of control. Personaly they have lost all of my respect and support. This is America, not Somolia, we observe American holidays and custom's, that is our right as well as our heritage. Thats not saying if your not from America your customs are frowned upon or discouraged, because there not, but as Americans we should not be forced to observe other countries Holiday's. It should be and Individual choice. If you love your country and your heritage that much, then go back there. This is America. And in closing I would like to say that I would not be the least bit suprised if this complet;y backfires on Tyson. Before long they probally won't observe Christmas and Independence Day.
I agree with punkin1129......today Tyson, tomorrow November election! Let's don't forget that Obama swore in on the Koran when he took that senators office. Let's don't forget that he does not respect our flag or our national anthem. There will be lots more of these "changes" (Obama's favorite word!), if we vote him in for our president. The labor day holiday at a little, small town factory is where it will all begin. They have already taken away our right to say Merry Christmas because of insulting someone else's religion. It's now happy holidays. Will the Muslims have to go by the new school dress policy? Are you invited to their mosque for worship? Just visit and you will see you are not. We are infidels to them and yet they are over telling us what to do and taking away our American traditions. Where does it stop?
This is the United States. We celebrate US holidays here. If the Muslims want to celebrate a Muslim holidy, then they should live in a country where such holidays are celebrated. If I moved to a foreign country, I certainly wouldn't expect the holidays to change just because I was there. And on another note, Tyson's greed is playing a large part in this. Since they can't employee illegal Mexicans any longer, they have switched to Somalis whose wages are being subsidized by the US government. And hey Bedford County...what are you getting out of them being here?
Don't you love how the liberal nuts resort to name-calling when there is no logic to their arguement?! The union intentionally skewed the numbers to make it look like there were more muslim workers than there actually was. And don't you love how that Applebaum guy talks about how "effective" the union is...Tell that Ford Motorcompany. Ford loses millions of dollars a year because of their union. The union has found a bunch of suckers in the muslim population. These people think the Union hung the moon just because they got them a day off and some place to lay their prayer mats. The union will want to be paid back eventually...then we'll see how great the Somali's think the union really is!
U.S. Customs and Immigration office
1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Someone commented on a "big wig" who committed suicide. Please be more respectful, that person is someone's family member or friend. That was a very tragic and sad situation as it is with any suicide.
It looks like the union in this story has a fine and loyal dues paying member in Mr. Abdillahi Jama. For as long as it suits him anyway. When we have enough of the Muslims here to take over, that union will go the way of the Dodo bird. America, our days as leaders of the free world are numbered.
Hey Tyson ...This bigot per your definition is going to do everything I can to spread the word about what Tyson has done to this town and this bigot won't be buying your products and if I see anyone else buying them I will educate them that they are supporting a pro Muslim anti American company who continues to break the law by bringing in truckloads of illegals and expecting the life long residents to deal with it by giving up their traditons and way of life. If being a bigot meets your definition..one who stands up for their traditions and customs...then guess what I'm proud to be a bigot and you can call me one all day long!
The person representing tyson's says we are all a bunch of bigots. I am an american who is very proud of our honored tradtions, Labor Day being one of those tradition, that makes me a bigot. All it took was one woman to take prayer out of schools. Can you imagine what will happen to our community when more of them come in or they have more children? A teacher told me that the women who work in the schools are scared of the kids! They don't teach them to respect women or their authority. To me that is a huge statement on how they honor their heritage. They should go back where they came from if they don't want to respect us. Tyson's has done nothing for our community but to bring in mean dirty people who hate us. Enough is enough, if it comes down to it I won't eat chicken at all!
Didn't one of the "big wigs" at Tyson commit suicide after that big investigation?? That should tell us all something right there!!
What can we do to get INS involved again? Can someone po