Agribusiness  October 30, 2014

JBS asks court to dismiss discrimination claims

GREELEY – JBS USA, the Greeley-subsidiary of Brazilian meat packer JBS S.A., has asked a judge to dismiss claims in a lawsuit by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The suit alleges the company discriminated against Somali Muslim workers at its Grand Island, Neb., facility.

 

JBS in a court filing last week in U.S. District Court in Omaha asked a judge to dismiss claims by the equal opportunity commission that the company wrongfully fired employees when they walked out in protest during the Islamic holiday Ramadan in September 2008. JBS contends the workers violated a no-strike rule.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Ways to thank a caregiver

If you have a caregiver or know someone who has been serving as a primary caregiver, March 3rd is the day to reach out and show them how much they are valued!

 

The walk-out followed complaints that JBS refused to let Muslim employees pray in accordance with their religious beliefs.

 

In last week’s filing, lawyers for JBS wrote, “The court has already determined that ‘at no time did JBS discipline or discharge any of its Muslim employees for praying,’ although some were disciplined for walking off their lines without permission.”

 

The lawsuit also alleges that supervisors and co-workers also made disparaging comments to Somali employees at the Grand Island facility.

 

Spokespeople for the equal opportunity commission and JBS declined to comment.

 

A second lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Denver by the equal opportunity commission alleges that offensive graffiti with racist comments existed in restrooms at JBS’ Greeley beef plant. A pre-trial conference in the case is scheduled for January.

 

Both lawsuits contend that JBS violated the Civil Rights Act by engaging in a pattern or practice of religious discrimination when the company failed to accommodate prayer breaks for Muslim employees.

 

The lawsuits also allege that JBS Swift retaliated against the employees by firing them after they requested that their evening break be moved so that they could break their fast and pray at sundown during the month of Ramadan, which requires a daytime fast from sunup to sundown. Both lawsuits say that supervisors and co-workers called Somalis offensive names.

 

GREELEY – JBS USA, the Greeley-subsidiary of Brazilian meat packer JBS S.A., has asked a judge to dismiss claims in a lawsuit by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The suit alleges the company discriminated against Somali Muslim workers at its Grand Island, Neb., facility.

 

JBS in a court filing last week in U.S. District Court in Omaha asked a judge to dismiss claims by the equal opportunity commission that the company wrongfully fired employees when they walked out in protest during the Islamic holiday Ramadan in September 2008. JBS contends the workers violated a no-strike rule.

 

The walk-out followed complaints that…

Sign up for BizWest Daily Alerts