Cargill Firing Energizes Lawmakers(Legislators Outraged By Action In Dispute Over Political Sign)

The Daily News Record ^ | 10/28/2006 | Jeff Mellott

[High Cotton]

HARRISONBURG — Cargill’s firing of a Broadway man in a dispute over a sign he had on his vehicle supporting the proposed marriage amendment has spurred outrage and action by several state legislators.

Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, sent a written request to the company’s chief executive officer seeking the reinstatement of Luis Padilla with back pay.

"It would shock me if this reflects a corporate position," Obenshain said on Friday. "If this is the position of the company, I find it outrageous."

Also on Friday, an incensed Del. Bob Marshall, R-Manassas, called for a boycott of Cargill food products because of the company’s action.

[Joe Boucher]

If this guy had a bumper sticker supporting gay unions on his vehicle he'd not have been fired.

[100-Fold_Return]

This Senator--Rep--whatever is demanding a boycott of Cargill so they will change.

When so-called conservative/Christians start boycotting CNN, FOX, ABC, NY +LA Slimes--UNTIL THEY ACTUALLY REPORT ACTUAL NEWS--then these creeps will come around to our side.

[proxy_user]

I would think they would have a legal right to fire him, however, if they don't like his views.

The alternative would be legally requiring a contract that should be voluntary on both sides. It would involve more lawsuits, and further government intervention into private enterprise.

[logic101.net]

This was on his personal vehicle; it is none of the company's business even if the vehicle is in the employee parking lot. The only way they have any right to discipline someone for something on their personal vehicle is if it is against the company (ie. don't buy XXX products).

Ok, one other possibility where he should be disciplined; if his vehicle stated "I work for XXX" - and had a political statement.

[em2vn]

The whole story has been posted several times on FR. He was told to remove the sign and he did. He then re-placed it and parked in an area he believed to be off of company property. He was then fired for exercising his constitutional right to support a ballot measure.
He has since been rehired.