Did you not attend the meeting because you would not be paid for it? If the meeting is mandated by the employer, the time you spend there is working time. Since you are non-exempt, you are entitled to be paid for all regular hours and hours worked over 40 at either time-and-a-half (if you are paid hourly) or premium time pay (if you are paid a salary). In sum, the employer can terminate you for non-attendance at a mandatory meeting. However, the termination arises because you protested illegal behavior, you might have a gooid claim under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
