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Casino Workers Protest Unfair Treatment at Foxwoods |
As the celebrities and invitation-only guests poured into the new MGM Grand at Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Ledyard, Conn., over the weekend, they met some unexpected greeters—casino employees and their supporters who were protesting the owner’s unfair treatment of workers.
For two days, May 17–18, members of the UAW, along with state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, state legislators, union leaders and their supporters, protested at the front entrances to the casino against a new tipping policy and the owner’s unfair labor practices, including refusing to bargain a contract.
Many of the casino workers joined the protest after their shifts ended. They are especially concerned about a new policy that went into effect Saturday that changes how tips are distributed. They say the change could reduce their wages by $2 to $3 an hour.
Six months ago, the 2,600 workers at the casino overwhelmingly voted for the union. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns the casino, has challenged the union election several times, saying federal labor law doesn’t apply to a casino on tribal land. Dealer Bob Fandetti says:
Under tribal law we wouldn’t have no say-so whatsoever. We voted for the union and we’re not going away.
In March, the Foxwoods workers won an important victory when a judge upheld their vote to form a union at the casino, which is the largest private employer in the state. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Administrative Law Judge Raymond Green dismissed all of the objections to the November 2007 election.
Meanwhile, the workers have filed 35 unfair labor practice charges with the NLRB against the casino.
The workers voted for the union, says dealer Sherry Lee, because
we deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Our success is an example of what can be accomplished when people work together. Casino dealers sent a clear message: We are united, regardless of race, ethnicity or language. We stayed strong and voted “Yes” for a say in our working conditions.
4 Comments
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Using tribal law to circumvent union recognition is just plain wrong Tribal law should be used to uphold the dignity of all people whether they are tribal members or workers at tribal enterprises.
The Foxwoods workers are doing the right thing, Basic human rights should be recognized by all governmental bodies whether tribal, local, city, county, state or federal.
Check out the UN Charter and see what it has to say about labor rights being human rights.
Bob Simpson
The BobboSphere.
It’s amazing how tribal autonomy is o.k. while there’s no running water or paved streets in a poor community—but all of a sudden a casino springs up, and all the outsiders want a piece. Hunting, water, gathering and fishing rights aside, lives change with the addition of casino revenue.Tribal enterprises such as schools, medical clinics, elder care, and cultural preservation become a renewed reality. Poverty is often no longer an issue with the additional jobs it brings;human rights are an issue we are long familiar with.
Anyone who wants to bring something to our tribal enterprises needs to understand that we have our own laws, our own constitution, and our own courts. If a union wants to organize on tribal lands, they must first respect the autonomy of the tribal region and reach out to tribal leaders. If there is something of value to be considered, something that will enhance “life on the reservation”, then tribal elders and officers are going to bring it to the people.
Any relationship has to have a spirit of co-operation and good will towards the people; if there are problems that can be solved by unions, show us, please. But know that ultimately, the tribe will do what is best for itself, according to our laws and our traditions.If a union gets decertified because it can’t compete with the terms and conditions offered by a tribal pact, that is a worker decision. Workers need to honor our sovereign right to oversee our enterprises for the good of our tribal members; if they have a good relationship everyone prospers.
If it’s hard for you to understand how we value our autonomy over some U.S. law, you need only look as far as a $26 dollar and bead transaction now known as Manhattan. There are ancient treaties written on bark that we’re still trying to enforce!
Unions must develop a better dialog with native nations before there will be any new success. Respect is a two way street.
With all due respect Catbear, workers rights should be respected whether or not YOUR tribal council recognizes such. Tribal councils, public and or private employers must come to understand that without their workforce nothing happens!
I find it curious that with all the violations of tribal sovereignty by the federal government, oil and gas corporations you decide that the casino workers present a bigger threat to the tribal council’s sovereignty and customs! Come on, worker’s rights and the rights of American Indians are very similar as are the histories for justice!
Thank you, brother, for standing up for the right to organize! As a union member for some thirty plus years, I don’t disagree about the rights of the workers to be a part of a union.
What I don’t agree with, is how some unions have treated our right to remain sovereign. As I said before, no one is more sensitive to human rights violations than many of us who saw first hand how our ancestors were swindled. Until you see your children, shipped away like prisoners, by a takeover regime to be cleansed of their heritage—well, it’s an old story. We had our own laws before, and the created American government came around with some new ones that even told us where we could live. So, we went there and took our laws along with our culture, and defend them both as mightily as is possible.
Unions are by and large the best protector of worker rights, and could bring a lot to the table. There’s no dispute there. The issue is how the union expects to come and offer their services on our lands;how to gain access. I’ve participated in a few organizing drives away from tribal lands and nations, and I know the rules. But the federal, state,and local laws aren’t always the same as tribal law; respect for tribal law should take precedence if you want to enter.
If one doesn’t exist, maybe the unions should put together a coalition to bring about a way to organize on tribal lands, whether it’s casinos, health care providers, teachers or other industries. There simply needs to be a better shared understanding of the purpose and intention of the organizing unions; many of the workers are also tribal members who are as interested in justice on the job as anyone.
Ultimately, the wages, terms and conditions, health and welfare, and retirement of everyone employed—fair and just employment, safety and security on the job—all that is the concern and desire of the workers. We don’t see the casino workers’ organizing efforts as a threat—what I’m talking about is the inability of some organizers to recognize an opportunity to improve the communications that must take place in order for either side to resolve their differences.
I don’t expect to be able to make anyone understand such a broad issue in such a small space, but unions simply need to learn a new way to communicate with tribal governments—preferably before the union avoidance people do.