Tyson in Alabama is sued for segregated work areas

[Erika]

"White only" sign and padlock Placed on Bathroom Door

at http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=51622

[AllieB]

1. Yet another reason to boycott this company

aside from their union-busting ways and poor business practices, now they've added racial discrimination to the mix. Their chicken is lousy also. I stick to the free-range variety produced at small farms.

[madeline_con]

2. No more Tyson chicken on our table!

:puke:

I gotta print that article and tape it to the meat case at Wally World! What fun!!!

[yorkiemommie1]

3. i knew we were headed backwards in time

i'm boycotting Tyson.:thumbsdown:

[NaturalHigh]

4. I'm not a fan of Tyson, but...

I find it hard to believe these accusations. It stretches the imagination to think that any manager could be stupid enough to allow something like this knowing that the company would be raked over the coals.

[Erika]

6. The EEOC wouldn't have joined in lightly or without cause

You may just have to realize W's "new economy"

[unsavedtrash]

5. of course nothing about it on my 10pm local news.

[Erika]

7. You might call them and ask them why not

Just a suggestion. It seems we are going to yell all over again for civil rights.

[Syrinx]

8. I find this too "good" to be true

And isn't "usnewswire" one of those things where you can just post anything and have it treated as a "news release?" I don't believe it for a second.

[unsavedtrash]

9. not that it is much more but Tuscaloosa News and WIAT 42 both reported on

the story. I emailed and called WIAT about why it had not been reported on sooner but of course, no response. They used the most monotone voice to read the story. Tuscaloosa News reported that there were people suing over the sign but had no proof of it's existence.

[raising2moredems]

10. Nothing has changed in the deep south has it....

I've always said I live as far south in the country as I care to live (IL/WI stateline area). I am amazed at how ingrained the bigotry is in some parts of the country. Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of bigots in my area but in sheer number and extremes as I see elsewhere, especially in the south. I cannot fathom how people vote against their best self-interest (your income tax proposal really sticks in my mind). The disgusting thing is a lot of "religious" people are the ones being the messengers of lies and distortions. One of the major golf tournaments on TV, Pine Hill in NC - gorgeous course but how many viewers/golf afficianados are aware that a good number of people in Pine Hill have no public sewer or water? It is not the 21st century in some parts of our country.
Forgive me my rant and for the record, my Mom's family is from the south. Most came north to work and raise their families. Then they retired "back home". I shake my head in dismay when I hear them brag how TN has no income tax but they'll pay 11% sales tax. They too cannot figure out how the chimp won their states (tri-state area) when everyone they know did not vote for him.

[Syrinx]

12. have you considered the alternative possibility for a second?

I'm with you on the sales tax, versus income tax (and especially the low property tax rates, which I don't think you mentioned).

If these allegations are true, Tyson, and the employees, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But have you even considered the possibility that the accusations could be spurious?

Minority people ARE capable of doing bad things, such as lying. This story strikes me as unlikely. I guess it could be true, but let's find out the facts before we hand out penalties.

[jody]

11. "Tyson Responds to Discrimination Claims"

QUOTE
Tyson Responds to Discrimination Claims

August 12, 2005 – Tyson Foods today provided the following statement to the news media in response to discrimination claims in litigation filed against the company. The legal action alleges the posting of a “Whites Only” sign on a Tyson restroom at the company’s Ashland, Alabama, poultry plant.

“We’re surprised and disappointed by this legal action and firmly believe the charges are without merit.

Our company has zero tolerance for discrimination in the workplace. Once we learn of possible discrimination it’s immediately investigated and disciplinary action is taken when warranted. The presence of any sign suggesting “whites only” or segregation of any kind is, without a doubt, a violation of our corporate policies and contrary to our corporate culture. It is not and never will be condoned or tolerated by Tyson Foods or our management team.

We have always cooperated with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and have been in this matter, so we’re shocked by the agency’s decision to file a lawsuit. In addition to policies prohibiting discrimination, we have a corporate code of conduct as well as dignity and respect training aimed at ensuring our Team Members are treated properly.

The Ashland matter involved a restroom in a maintenance shop at the plant, which is a chicken processing complex that employs approximately 300 people.”

UNQUOTE

[Syrinx]

13. thank you, and I think Tyson is a bad company

I think Tyson is a predatory company. They are bad.

I may be wrong, but I strongly suspect that this was a get-rich scheme by an employee or two at the plant.

I've seen it happen before.

I hate racism, whether it's white on black, or black on white.

False accusations of racism should be strongly condemned by everyone of good conscience. They are just another form of racial bigotry, materially indistinguishable from the stand in the schoolhouse door.

Racism, it seems, is much more of a force in the big cities of the coasts, east and west, than in the Deep South today. You don't see black men being shot down in Birmingham these days. That happens in New York and LA. And it's a shame.