Update: Hertz Fires Muslim Drivers for Praying on Company Time
- Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:12pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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The Hertz rental car company is firing two dozen Somali Muslim drivers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for refusing to clock out for daily breaks during which they normally prayed.
The drivers are among the 34 Hertz employees the company suspended indefinitely late last month for praying on company time. Observant Muslims pray five times a day, and the employees claimed the company was infringing on their religious freedom by not being flexible to their needs.
Media reports varied on the exact number of fired employees, with some reporting it was 25 and others reporting it was 26.
The fired workers drove the company’s cars to and from the airport for cleaning and refueling, according to the Seattle Times, and did not clock out when they went to pray. Hertz also said some of the fired workers were taking longer than the 10 minutes allotted for a break. Employees get two breaks per eight-hour shift.
Hertz had said the suspended workers were violating a two-year-old policy requiring employees to clock out before engaging in personal activities, such as praying. Teamsters Local 117 took up the drivers’ case, filing an unfair labor practices suit saying the company was not following an agreement reached last year saying employees would not have to clock out for prayer.
During negotiations, nine of the original 34 suspended drivers signed agreements saying they would clock out on time and returned to their jobs.
Union officials told the Times the two sides were unable to reach an agreement that would have returned the remaining workers to their pre-suspension status under which they would not have to clock out to pray.
Teamsters spokesman Paul Zilly said Hertz gave the workers an ultimatums and when they refused, the company terminated them. Zilly said if Hertz believed employees were breaking the rules, they should have dealt with them individually instead of as a group.
“There may have been some taking longer than 10 minutes, but why single out the entire group based on their religion?” he said.
“We feel like we’re being punished for what we believe in,” former Hertz employee Ileys Omar, who prays five times a day, told KOMO News. “It’s five minutes. It‘s not as big deal as the company’s making it.”
Hertz spokesman Rich Broome said the company had made it clear to the suspended workers that if they wanted to return the work they would have to agree to the clock-out terms.
“We’re disappointed that the rest of the transporters did not take us up on what we thought was a reasonable resolution of this matter — reserving their right to pray during paid breaks,” Broome said. “We felt clocking out is a fair way to maintain order while keeping our operations running smoothly.”



















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Comments (280)
inexiletill2012
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:36pmSo……..go back to somalia and pray all you want.
Report Post »You want the consumer to pray for your prayer time ? Hell No
ProbIemSoIver
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:39pmYep. The Dumb@$$es should have clocked out !!!
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:42pmYou can see what’s happening here…..they’re meant to clock out, it’s personal time..and they’re not clocking out so they can take advantage and take longer breaks.
Report Post »historyguy48
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:46pmThey’re getting fired probably violates the “good and plenty” clause in the Constitution.
Report Post »Well, since that doesn’t exist how about
The “seperation of Church and State claus”
Well, since that doesn’t exist how about
Their right to pray on company time clause
Well, since that doesn’t exist maybe they should go back to Somali and tell everyone we are a bunch of meanies for not letting them do whatever they want.
Dustyluv
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:50pmYou have to ask the question…Why would a Muslim want to be here anyway? Maybe to kill an Infidel like Hertz?
Report Post »BuckeyeWithA45
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:58pmWe feel like were being punished for what we believe in.
Yeah so does he.
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/violent-islamic-extremists-in-somalia-behead-christian-teen/
Asshats
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:03pmThank you Hertz…….next time I need to rent a car you got my business.
Now you need to give them a oneway “bus” ticket back to where ever in the hell they came from. And
Report Post »To you satan worshiping ragheads………. Screw You! If you don’t like america the way it was BEFORE you got here GO HOME!
pavepaws
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:15pmThe next thing you know, someone will want to wear a head scarf and march in an ROTC parade. Oh. Wait………………………………………….
Report Post »Ready2Rumble
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:25pmDitto.
Report Post »coindexter
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:26pmpeople come to America to find work and a better living. it doesn’t take long before they become spoiled and reliant on unions.
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:58pmI totally support Hertz, however, I would be a leery about renting a car or truck from them. They are now a target. Sick as that is, I hope you have a bomb sniffing dog with you when you rent from them.
Report Post »toto
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:05pmHope they are never reinstated. Their behavior is disgraceful. You do not honor any God by stealing from your employer. Simple. Pray on your own time. If the job doesn’t fit the parameters that allow you to do that, find another or go to a more welcoming country. The sooner the better. We will not miss you. You, and your fellow rabble are are scourge in our country.
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:09pmThree cheers for Hertz! it’s about time Americans start standing up to the filth of Islime. Don’t waste your time leftist loons, I know it‘s bigoted and I’m very proud of it.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:12pmBack in the 90′s we got off on good friday at Johnson & Johnson and the African Americans filed a grievience with the AFLCIO. J&J solved the problem by letting you choose to take off with pay on good friday or Martin Luther Kings day. It appears HERTZ tried to do the same thing by having them clock out.
Report Post »Lucy Larue
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:16pmINEXILETILL2012,
Amen, Amen!
Everyone here should call or E-Mail HERTZ and thank them.
I am pretty certain that CAIR will be representing these IDIOT Cabbies in a lawsuit against HERTZ sometime soon.
This is part of the “Cultural Jihad”. The cabbies demands are part of this. It all leads to the CALIPHATE.
I hope HERTZ does not cave as so many other companies have…,to include TARGET.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:25pmDoes Smokers get smoke breaks on company time? Some people smoke religiously.
Report Post »robert
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:27pmFrankly I’d be interested to know why these black Muslims were hired over US citizens, especially since there’s such a scarcity of jobs.
This is good payback to Hertz for hiring them. Hopefully, the Muslims will now sue them and win.
Maybe next time Hertz will hire US personnel. And, if they don’t, here’s hoping they get hit with another law suit.
Report Post »mils
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:38pmthe unions at work again, you union members must be so happy with how the union is spending your retirement…on people that hate you..hhmmmm
clock out….bet it’s longer than 10 minutes..
Report Post »I certainly do not want to wait on some guy to shake out his little rug and pray… No i do not want to be tolerant of this type crap
old white guy
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:41pm2012. ditto. these guys should get the hell out and go back to somalia.bloody ignorant muslims.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:10pmWho’s the idiot union white guy with the purple coat? Looks like he’s sufficating amist the body odor.
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:31pm“We feel like we’re being punished for what we believe in”
No, you’re being fired for costing them money. I thought that was made abundantly clear when they said CLOCK OUT! Then you continued not too…
Can’t . fix . stupid
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:40pmGood for Hertz!!!
I guess they need to go to work for Muslim “owned company” … they knew the rules BEFORE they took the job …
You disregard the rules .. you get the pink slip
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:52pmAmerica has become a cesspool of frivilous claims to rights that never existed before. My Dad drove a city bus and if he stopped it to pray they would have fired him. They would have been well within their rights as an organization and as a city employment. This is an attempt plainly to agitate for rights only for muslim causes. They will eventually overwhelm our system. We will tolerate it to the very end. They will one day be in control of all that was once good and decent. We will be their slaves and they our masters. They will pray while we work to build their homes, teach their kids, clean their homes, wash their cars, make their food etc. I give it 20-30 more years to finally arrive in all its glory if of course the Lord tarrys.
Report Post »Arthur Spooner
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:58pmWe need an email address for Hertz so we can support them.
Also, since I’m new here, how does one go about making an original post? Do we have to reply to someone else’s post to be heard?
Report Post »TeaParty_RonPaul_R3VOLUTION
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 9:09pmthey probably will not win in courts as that is company time, unless they decide to work extra hours to compensate for the time lost to praying?
Report Post »Pontiac
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 9:12pm@Arthur Spooner
Report Post »Don‘t hit reply in someone else’s topic if you want to make a new post. Just scroll to the bottom. However you’ll likely be on another page if the stories been heavily commented on. Like this one which is 5 pages long now. They do need a better comments section made up.
Large Eagle
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 9:36pmSo I know a farmer in Ohio who would love for you to come and drive a hog truck for him
Report Post »Convey stops 5 times a day
Skrewedretiree
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 9:45pmIf these were Christians it never would have made the news.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 10:17pmI guess it hurtz when you don’t follow the rules. Pray on your own dime… Oh, do you speak English or did the Unions print those signs up for you?
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 10:24pmHey Hertz… I need a job. I speak English as my first language and can drive a car. Will you hire me? Please respond to this post. I’m ready to start ASAP.
Report Post »Steve
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 11:44pmpoverty.sucks
In NC if your on a 8 hour shift by law you get
2 15 min paid breaks
1 30 min unpaid lunch
That’s it.
Smoking is not a right!
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 11:59pmGood for HERTZ…Now hire Americans!!!
Report Post »Al J Zira
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 3:50amNo! There’s no clocking out to pray during work hours. If that were the case then I as a Christian could have a job, ytake off every Sunday since it’s my sabbath and not worry about being fired. This has to stop, between muslims trying to sew the ROTC over head gear and this the peaceful, always understanding muslim faithful are trying to change our laws by using our constitution against us. Will no one see through this bull?
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:55amAother big bunch of bs and an excuse for union lawyers to roll in the dough. Prayer is personal choice/personal time. What’s next– I choose to donate 15 min at the soup kitchen? (My church says I should.) I choose to spend half an hour at the pool? (I HAVE to for my health….)
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 4:58amGo back to Somalia so you can be free to pray whenever you want.
Report Post »GETLIFE
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 5:08amOr, how about:
Go back to Somalia where you can be “free” (to pray during paid working hours).
Report Post »Free at last! Free at last!
Formula382
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 8:00amGood! That’s all I have to say
Report Post »Islesfordian
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:36pmMaybe they should start their own company:
Allahu Akbar Rent-A-Car(bomb)
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:45pmLOL … if anyone was stupid enough to rent one .. it would be a one-way rental!
TEA!
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:44pm@ISLESFORDIAN……That was funny!
Report Post »The10thAmendment
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:12pmOnly Muslimes will be allowed to rent one, so it’s all good!
Report Post »Cranky
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 7:24pmTheir rentals would consist of old Ford Pintos…. BOOM!!
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:09pmKahbulm Rental Car has Exlusive One Way Discount Specials and Drop-Off Fees Always Waived.
I strongly recommend taking accepting extra coverage for the vehicle.
Report Post »poverty.sucks
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:18pmKahbulm Rental Car Agency Strives to Mecca You Happy by taking your troubles away
Report Post »drago
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:25pmNow thats danm funny, thank for the laugh Isles.
Report Post »dotherightthing4
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 9:45amI am so pleased that Hertz did NOT allow itself to be bullied by these guys that I will ONLY rent from Hertz in the future. They should not be allowed to win this or get their jobs back. This would be another case of Stealth Sharia.
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 10:37amHertz should transfer them all to Somali branch. The customers would pray with them. Everyone would be cool with it.
Report Post »Leopold
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:35pmThis is so unreal and so typical of the left and it seems especially the muslims. They really believe because they are muslims, everybody owes them everything. Why do they deserve payment for time not spend on work, yet others, perhaps christians or any other group, are not entitled to the same compensation. That is what it is. More compensation because you are a muslim. Makes perfect sense. They think they are better then others. I am really getting offended by them constantly forcing others to cater to them. I hope Hertz will stay strong. But they probably will now be boycotted by muslims. Well, we can support Hertz. Even if we do not need their services for now, lets tell them we will do business with them in the future.
Report Post »Chuck Stein
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:42pmYou, Leopold, are absolutely correct. The Muslim mindset is that the “infidels” are inherently lesser than the Muslims and accordingly owe Muslims.
Report Post »oneshiner
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:48pmDo your religion prayers on your own time if you can’t fit it in your break time.
Report Post »I don’t remember any businesses allowing Christians company time to say prayers.
Theleftisda
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 9:25pmSorry LEOPOLD will never support a union company
Report Post »Darla_K
Posted on October 22, 2011 at 7:59amHey, why don’t they drive for Obama?
Report Post »darthtyran
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:33pmI dont understand why these moon worshipers didnt clock out to pray and then clock back in. The policy didnt forbid them to pray it forbid them to pray on the clock. I have had these moonsworshipers plant their rugs in the gas lanes of a popular convenience store chain before. They refused to move and they prayed for like 15 minutes. So if the norm is 15 minutes and the pray five times a day, you are looking at an hour or more of missed work each day. My employer would not tolerate an hour of prayer each day on his dime. Why should any other business. The solution was simple…just clock out and clock on…my theory is these moon worshipers got the results they were seeking and now have national headlines… Got news for them…most of Americans dont care they got canned!
Report Post »Thevoice
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:14pmO…… that would have been the time to gas up their magic carpet …
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:50pmSeems, a non issue for Christians as we can pray any where we are at and nobody can stop us, our God does not require us to kiss the floor while praying to him………………….Thank ya JESUS………OOpsie did i just offend somebody……………awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Report Post »Xavier_Holden
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 8:52pmI think the headline is VERY misleading. Actually, this is the first time I can remember where the Blaze chose a misleading headline.
They didn’t get fired for “Praying on company time” but instead for not following company policy of punching out.
I dont have a problem with their religious freedom, but they also need to follow corporate policies as well.
Of course, that is, for now….I am sure OBAMA and company would like to see sharia law in place here.
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:31pm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »Ahhhhh! Poor little muslim dirtbags!
If they don’t like it, they can always get a job at a 9-11 convenience store. Oops, I mean a 7-11 convenience store.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jhn'1
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:31pmI think you have an OOPS here, you have “Hertz spokesman Rich Broome said the company had made it clear to the suspended workers that if they wanted to return the work they would have to agree to the clock-out terms.”
Report Post »and at the same time
“We’re disappointed that the rest of the transporters did not take us up on what we thought was a reasonable resolution of this matter — reserving their right to pray during paid breaks,” Broome said”
That second quote means you sound like the latter is saying one option to not be fired was to keep on being paid for prayer times.
???
tharpdevenport
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:30pmBefore anybody goes out renting from Hertz to say “Thank you” for doing what’s RIGHT, let‘s wait and see if they don’t back peddle off this and re-hire them — we’ve seen this retracting crap far too often as of late.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:45pmThen I WON’T rent from them!
Report Post »Will M.
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:47pmThats after the million dollar lawsuit the court grants…
Report Post »Watchyer6
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:30pmIf you don’t like it- get another job, or better yet, go back to Somalia and eat sand.
Report Post »avenger
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:35pmscrew them !
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:44pmDidn’t I just read about a teenage somali Christian being beheaded by islamic militants? their religion of peace shows itself to the world yet again,talk about a severance package
Report Post »shirelover
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:49pmAvenger – ewwwwww! No thank you, I would rather not!!! groooooosssseeeee ;-)
Report Post »copatriots
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:15pmGeesh…..we have over a 9% unemployment rate in this country (the real number is likely higher than that. How is it possible that Hertz at Seattle-Tacoma has 34 Somali Muslims? I mean how many employees does Hertz have at that airport. Seems like a highly disproportionate number of Somalis to U.S. natural borns working there compared to the demographics of that area.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 10:40pmSeattle is so Liberal, they do everything in their power to reject Conservatives, Christians, etc.
Report Post »Why else would they keep voting for such idiots they send to Washington?
pwatkins
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:29pmGood for Hertz..they may feel like they are being punished for what they believe in but we know we getting punished for they believe in.
Report Post »Biscuit Feed Bubba
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:33pmMore influence of Muslim brothers from the hood, pure thugery!
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:36pmAnd please don’t post that whiny next they will do it to Christians crap! first they do it to Christians every other time and we believe in the real living GOD!
Report Post »Ookspay
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:29pmGreat move Hertz. I use them most of the time. Now I will use them all of the time.
As far as the stupid “respect me” signs go, sorry it is hard to respect any person who worships a mass murdering pedohilic mysogynist like moHAMmad.
I have a big problem with ANY religion that expects the world to make special exceptions for them, period!
Report Post »TeaPartyPatriot
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:27pmUpdate: Hertz Fires Muslim Drivers for Praying on Company Time
Report Post »…any moment now “You Lie!” hussein will get his imbecile AG (and Black Panther Party supporter and defender) holder to relentlessly attack, vilify and sue Hertz. Count on it.
Bowmaster
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:25pmLots of unemployed people would love to have those jobs, and abide by the rules.
Report Post »They were warned, so fire them and don’t look back!
I will support Hertz and rent autos from them whenever I need one.
Don’t back down!
chazman
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:43pm… ah, to get paid for stickin’ yer butt in the air five times a day … damn Somoli’s never had it so good! But they don’t realize that. Instead they bite the hand that feeds them! GO HERTZ!!
Report Post »Mopar 1969
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:25pmhardy har har
Report Post »Constructionist
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:24pmYou have the right to pray on the job and I have the obligation to pay you for it. Got it. There is a difference between respecting your religion and subsidizing it. In a surprise move, the unions support this completely ignorant cause.
Report Post »Mopar 1969
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:24pmI will go out of my way and rent from hertz if I need to rent a vehicle.
Report Post »Go USA Thank You Hertz
johnnyrockett
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:23pmGodd for hertz!!!!
Report Post »and tell cair to suck it. :)
Californiasodbuster
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:22pmAnd there is the token white union guy, with the purple jacket, standing with his brothers.
Report Post »ZengaPA65
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:22pmha ha
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:22pmOh blah, blah. Christians are punished everyday for what they believe in. We can’t stop work to pray.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:31pmChristians can multi-task, pray, work, eat, etc at the same time. No sticking our head on the ground on a filthy prayer rug, pointed towards mecca. Christians seem to be a little more honest, it appears.
Report Post »TexasHunter
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:21pmIt’s NOT A RELIGION !!! Once again.. This is not a religion! This a Gov’t take over one slice at a time! This is a society take over one day at a time. KUDOS to HERTZ I will use them anytime I need a car. America has to stand on it’s two feet and so do our people backing it!!
Report Post »MetalPatriot
Posted on December 9, 2011 at 5:02pmFinally, a person who recognizes. Also, notice how every single thing about Christmas is simultaneously being targeted. Islam is making it’s big push at this point in history. Our problem is that “our” people are looking to capitalize by supporting Islam’s “rights” and denying the U.S. it’s own culture.
We are over run from within.
Report Post »SmoothCrimiNole
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:20pmI can’t do bible studies while i work, can’t observe communion while i work, can’t preach the gospel at work….get in line…no special benefits for the radicals…
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:20pmBRAVO Hertz! There must be competition for Persian Rug Salesmen!
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:32pmthey will probably get severance pay and open a dunkin donuts or 7-11
Report Post »Balthazor
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:19pmGood for Hertz. Hope they stand their ground.
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:25pmIf they are praying they are stealing, thieft of time.
Report Post »Quagaar Warrior
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:28pm~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Report Post »Ahhhhh! Poor little muslims!
If they don’t like it, they can always get a job at a 9-11 store. Oops, I mean a 7-11 store.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
kralspaces
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:30pm“It’s five minutes. It‘s not as big deal as the company’s making it.” Yes, so clock out. What’s the big deal.
Report Post »NOBAMA201258
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:30pmAMEN!! IT’s about time!! I was starting to think the religion of peace haha could get away with anything under obama and his royal holder!
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:49pmkralspaces
Report Post »It is a big deal now everyone wants the same thing , oh and I also want to smoke! Now everyone gets the smoke time.
But see thats the difference. There are people that figure if I‘m getting paid I’m supposed to be working. That is what is called personal responsibly that’s why some people make more money then others, maybe some day you’ll get it!
Ducky 1
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:16pmJust let a christian stop to pray on company time…………wonder what CAIR will do with this one??
Report Post »TexasHunter
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:25pmYou add all that time up and it becomes a large chunk.. Good Riddance.
Report Post »Tickdog
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 5:16pmlol!
Report Post »