In 2006, Somali Muslim meat-processing workers in St Cloud, Minnesota and Arcadia,Wisconsin were being denied an afternoon break to pray, and were not given a place to do so. With suggestion from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), they sued their employer Gold n' Plump for religious discrimination. Kenya Mcknight, Communications Director for CAIR Minnesota , says the company has made those accommodations to the workers and even non-Muslims who claimed about not getting break time.
She says the Muslims will also not be required to handle pork on the assembly line, a request that previously had not been honored.
This agreement was made in September and this week a settlement was reached for $1.2 million. $365,000 will go to the nearly 100 workers, the rest to lawyer fees. McKnight appreciates Gold n' Plump for coming to resolution.
Strict adherence to the Islamic faith involves prayer five times a day and abstaining from eating or handling pork products.