Colorado Rules Cargill's Somali Muslim Employees Are Entitled To Unemployment Compensation

Denver Post reported Thursday that Colorado's labor department has ruled that more than 100 Muslim employees fired in December from a Cargill, Inc. meatpacking plant are entitled to unemployment compensation.  At issue was whether the employees could take prayer breaks during their shifts. Cargill withdrew its appeals in the cases after losing in 20 of them.  The dispute in part reflects tensions between Somali workers and Hispanic workers who lead the Teamsters union that represents them.  It is estimated that the unemployment payments will cost Colorado's unemployment insurance fund nearly $1 million.