Waitress fired for waving Hillary sign during McCain arrival at an AR ariport

[rinsd]

(Little Rock) KTHV -- A Little Rock waitress claims her political activism got her fired.

Micah Qualls says she was on break and decided to show her support for Hillary Clinton by waving a sign she had in the trunk of her car, but after her shift ended she was fired.

"Whoa… lone protestor…" This video shows Micah Qualls Friday when she heard John McCain would be landing where she worked as a waitress at Central Flying Service.

Micah Qualls says, "Shock. It still hasn't even sunk in that this is occurring. Not just that I was fired, but the other things that are attached to the story."

<snip>


An open letter from Dick Holbert of Central Flying Service reads…
"I didn't witness Qualls' demonstration. After hearing the details I told the flight deck manager to relieve her. That she was holding a Clinton sign was beside the point. She was on my time wearing my uniform and she spoke loudly and a lot of people noticed."

Qualls believes this never would have happened if she held a McCain sign instead.

Qualls adds, "The problem people perceive is it was counter to what was going on, but as I've stated it wasn't against anyone. I am a person that believes in my own candidate."

Qualls show us pictures of co-workers several years ago showing support for candidates while on the clock. "There's me and my other co-workers and our aprons. I have no reason to believe this action isn't tolerated at my job."

More at the link http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=64727

Micah Qualls has made a habit of protesting those she thinks are wrong.

Here's a blurb about a protest against the covenant marriage law that Huckabee was a proponent of

One of the protest organizers, Micah Qualls of Sherwood, a University of Arkansas at Little Rock student and the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, said the recent movements by evangelical Christians regarding marriage is alarming.

http://www.nwanews.com/story.php?paper=adg§ion=News&storyid=107951

Here's an Arkansas Times blog that has updates and comments by both sides

http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2008/04/the_lone_protest.aspx

Here is the LBN thread if you wish to comment on discussion already taking place

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3286284

[Lucky 13]

1. Arkansas is AR. AK is Alaska.

Just FYI

[rinsd]

4. D'oh!

[Ken Burch]

6. Well, it would probably happen if she did that at the Anchorage airport too.

Since it's named for our longest serving undead Republican senator.

[rinsd]

7. *chuckle*

[Lucky 13]

8. No doubt. Probably MORE likely in AK what with the Stevens and Young brigades.

[Ken Burch]

2. Gutsy woman.

And I say that as an Obama supporter.

[bluestateguy]

3. That's an outrage

nt

[democrattotheend]

5. Agreed

Isn't it illegal to fire someone for their political associations?

[Exilednight]

10. for associations? Yes. For showing open support while being paid by your employer? No............

the question is; was her break a paid break?

[Exilednight]

9. It sucks, but.................

if she was only on break, and probably on the clock, the diner had every right to terminate her.

[Apollo11]

13. It's a shame but she was in uniform and crossed a line

She took a risk and is paying the price.

If she is in uniform then her actions reflect not just on her - but also on her employer.

But I do feel some sympathy for this lifelong Democrat.

[Exilednight]

14. Exactly. I can't go to work and wear an Obama shirt. Wish I could, but I can't. n/t

[bobbert]

15. Even if it is a paid break

by law, workers have to have a certain amount of break time during their shift.

[Exilednight]

17. Understood, but you are being paid by your employer and they can put restrictions on your...........

actions. I work part time for UPS, and I can not do anything besides deliver packages while wearing my uniform. If I go to a bar after work and a manger sees me in my uniform, then my employment can be terminated on my next work day.

Me being in a bar after work with my UPS uniform on reflects poorly on the company.

[bobbert]

11. I like that woman!

She should be allowed to display what she wants. Nobody is allowed to control what someone else does on their break. It should be illegal but he'll probably get away with it due to the fact she was in her work uniform :( That shouldn't matter, I know, but it may and that sucks.

[gateley]

12. Good for her!

I hope she gets a GREAT job offer (from a Hillary supporter! :7) and that she's able to sue the hell out of her former employer!

EDIT: After reading a couple of posts, I'm thinking that legally her employer may have had the right. But I'm still hoping she gets a killer new job!

[rinsd]

16. Legally, he may be in the right.

But really? A long time employee of yours does something you did not even witness and hours later you decide to fire them (not even yourself which is cowardice I hate as a middle mgmt type) with rumors swirling that people who are your customers and are politically connected were embarrassed and threatened to withhold their business?

Well that stinks to high heaven and I hope his business suffers for the embarrassment he has brought upon it.

[lefty2000]

18. Employer Reaction is Extreme, Offense Was Minor

For the first offense, a warning is in order.

When you fire somebody on the first offense, either it is for something serious, like stealing, or you are doing it to appease some third party.

All employers are enlightened, but some are more enlightened than others.

[rinsd]

20. I think you nailed it.

"When you fire somebody on the first offense, either it is for something serious, like stealing, or you are doing it to appease some third party."

[beachmom]

21. Unfortunately, it is legal. A company can fire you for any reason except

where it is discriminatory. There is no legal recourse.

[rinsd]

22. Moral & legal are not always on the same side unfortunately.

[gateley]

23. Ideally, I'd love to see

his pompous little life come crashing down around him. People refusing to patronize his place, writing to the owners, newspapers, ACLU --

But don't know if she can legally sue him (which was my first wish for her!).

And I STILL want her to get a fabulous new job!

[beachmom]

19. A lady got fired in '04 for wearing a Kerry bumper sticker. Sadly, there

is little encouragement by companies or corporate America to get involved in politics, and more likely penalties for doing so. It just is ridiculous.

[Clintonista2]

25. I remember that

[JamesThweatt]

24. Micah Qualls Statement 4.30.08

This statement is issued on behalf of Micah by her spokesperson James Thweatt.

Micah has asked me to be her spokesperson because of the national interest in this story. She's a bit overwhelmed at the moment and has never tread these kinds of waters before. It must be remembered that Micah is a small town girl from Arkansas up against some mighty powerful forces.

Micah wants to thank all those who have supported her with their comments, as well as the over one hundred emails, the job offers, letters, etc. She is very touched by the outpouring of support from the public and wanted to express her gratitude.

There have been some misquotes, misinterpretation and comments taken out of context and soon we will set the record straight. Micah stands behind the facts of this case and trusts that the public will continue to judge her based on those facts and not emotionally.

Any media requesting interviews should contact me at [e-mail].

We thank you,
James Thweatt