Three former ushers sue Nationals, allege religious discrimination

Three ushers are suing the Washington Nationals, alleging religious discrimination.

Three former Nationals Park ushers have filed a federal lawsuit against the Washington Nationals, alleging religious discrimination, NBC Washington reports.

The men, who are Seventh Day Adventists, allege that a recent change in scheduling practices prevents ushers from observing the Sabbath.

According to NBC Washington, the suit references an increase in Friday night and Saturday afternoon games at Nationals Park and a heavier load of concerts at the ballpark. The men say their employment was terminated when they insisted on taking Friday night and Saturday afternoons off and are seeking back pay and damages.

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Seventh Day Adventists are a Protestant Christian denomination that treats Saturday, as opposed to Sunday, as the Sabbath. 

In recent years, companies such as Altec Industries in Birmingham, Alabama and the hotel group owning a Comfort Inn in Nags Head, North Carolina have settled with Seventh Day Adventists who claimed to be fired or not hired due to their conviction not to work during the Sabbath. 

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