Tyson Foods has come to a new agreement with employees of a Shelbyville poultry plant. This year they will have both Labor Day and a Muslim celebration as paid holidays.
Tyson had dropped Labor Day in favor of Id al-Fatr at the union’s request.
Tyson spokesperson Libby Lawson says the change was a practical concern. At least 250 Somali refugees work at the Shelbyville plant. Many employees were taking off the Muslim holiday unpaid.
“What has happened for many, many, many years at that particular plant is team members work on Labor Day anyway, so I don’t think they thought this was such a big deal.”
After a media backlash this week, Tyson asked to renegotiate. Now, workers will get paid for both Labor Day and Id al-Fatr. The plant will drop a paid floating holiday meant for birthdays.
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