Not much coming out of the Ashcroft run Justice Department has given me much satisfaction of late, but this announcement last week certainly deserves praise. From the Times Ledger:

The Justice Department last week filed a lawsuit against the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the New York City Transit Authority, charging them with discrimination against Muslims, Sikhs and other employees whose religions require them to wear head coverings.

The complaint alleges that the transportation agencies engaged in discriminatory practices by enforcing uniform policies that do not accommodate certain employees’ religious practices, according to a Department of Justice press release.

“Public employees should not have to sacrifice their religious beliefs to enjoy the same benefits of employment as their co-workers,” said R. Alexander Acosta, assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division. “While public employers have the authority to set reasonable dress standards, they cannot selectively apply them at the cost of civil rights.”

What were the allegations exactly?

According to the Department of Justice, the MTA and the Transit Authority began enforcing uniform policies against employees who wear turbans or head scarves in early 2002. Some employees were transferred to yard or depot jobs where they would not have contact with the public. These jobs provide diminished seniority benefits and fewer overtime opportunities. Prior to the uniform policies, Muslim and Sikh employees had been wearing head coverings without incident.

DesiTalk-NewsIndia Times provides further details as well.