New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Faces Religious Discrimination Complaints
Muslim transit employees being forced to wear an MTA logo on their turbans are arguing that they are being discriminated against by the MTA because of their religion. The employees have complained that the MTA’s forcing this imposition upon Muslims and Sikhs is disrespectful of their religious practices. Recently, the employees took action to try to get rid of the logo once and for all. On June 16, twenty-seven New York City Council members signed a letter sent to New York City Transit President Howard Roberts, calling for him to eliminate the requirement.
The logo requirement started as a compromise to allow Muslims to wear their religious turbans or scarves, but the workers see it as the MTA’s way of presenting an ultimatum that forces the employees to wear a corporate logo in their sacred space if they want to continue working.
Along with this letter from the City Council members, the MTA is also in the midst of a 2004 federal discrimination lawsuit with the U.S. Justice Department regarding employees and their religious headwear. It is still unclear whether the current situation will lead to court action against the MTA as well.
City Councilman John Liu referred to the rule as, “as backwards as you can possible imagine,” while City Councilman David Werpin said, “No one should ever, ever, under any circumstances, have to choose between their livelihood and their religion.”
