Eid Al-Fitr Celebration Brings Workers Together (10/16/08)

Tyson workers gather to mark Eid Al-Fitr in Tennessee.

Tyson poultry workers in Shelbyville, Tennessee, joined together on October 5 to commemorate the first Eid Al-Fitr holiday recognized under their new RWDSU contract. The celebration, attended by 140 Tyson workers at the Shelbyville community center, marked the Muslim holiday Eid Al-Fitr, which this year was celebrated on the sundown of Monday, September 29. The celebration included both Muslim and non-Muslim workers.

“We appreciate the union and our fellow Tyson workers for standing beside the Muslim workers at the Tyson plant, and supporting us in having this important day recognized in the new contract,” said Tyson worker Arab Liban, an elder in the Somalian community in Shelbyville. “The union has been very good for us at Tyson.”

“This celebration was a great opportunity for workers of different faiths to take stock of the fact that, regardless of our differences, what brings all of us together is the fight for respect and dignity in the workplace,” said RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum. “I’m proud to be part of a union that believes so strongly in honoring the religious beliefs of all of its workers.”

On September 30, workers at the plant were given the day off so that Muslim workers could celebrate the Eid, which is one of Islam’s holiest days. Workers at the plant also were given the day off on Labor Day. According to a new contract ratified on August 7, beginning in 2009 both Labor Day and  Eid Al-Fitr will be paid holidays. Workers will have the option of taking a different day instead of Eid.

(l to r) RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum, Tyson workers Ishak Rable and Arab Liban, and RWDSU Representative Randy Hadley welcome workers and their families.