Company confirms firings of meatpackers - By TRACY OVERSTREET, Omaha World-Herald
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Nearly 90 Muslims are no longer working at the JBS Swift & Co. meatpacking plant here.
Dan Hoppes, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local No. 22, said Friday that about 50 to 80 Muslims had quit the night before. He said the matter stemmed from the recent debate over break time for prayer during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
JBS Swift confirmed 86 firings to the Associated Press late Friday, saying the employees were terminated earlier in the day for repeatedly leaving work without authorization.