Muslims fired, discrimination complaints filed against Ariens

14 other Muslims resigned

MILWAUKEE – A civil liberties group says it plans to file federal discrimination and harassment complaints after a Wisconsin manufacturer fired seven Muslim employees for violating a company break policy that doesn’t provide extra time for prayer.

Ariens Co. terminated the workers in a dispute that began last month when it moved to enforce a rule of two 10-minute breaks per work shift and dozens of Muslim staffers of Somali descent walked off the job in protest.

Spokeswoman Ann Stilp says of the 53 employees involved, 32 have abided with the policy, 14 resigned and seven were terminated Tuesday.

Council for American-Islamic Relations spokesman Jaylani Hussein says the company could have made accommodations but chose not to.