(March 22, 2012) Manistee, MI
Second Collective Bargaining Agreement Signed under Tribal Law
The Little River Casino Resort and the United Steelworkers Union have entered into a collective bargaining agreement covering slot machine technicians. This is the second collective bargaining agreement entered into by the Resort and the Union under tribal law. The first, involving the Resort’s security guards, was signed in December, 2010.
“Like our first agreement, this is the product of hard work and long negotiations,” said Tom Davis, General Manager at the Resort. “It reflects a lot of give and take from both sides of the bargaining table.”
In 2007, the Band enacted a law governing labor unions and collective bargaining modeled on state labor relations laws. The law allows collective bargaining within the Band’s governmental operations, which includes its gaming operations at the Little River Casino Resort. It requires unions to hold a license from the Band, and it provides a structure for resolving unfair labor practice charges. “In designing our law, we found there was much to learn from the way state governments regulate collective bargaining in the public sector,” said Tribal Council Speaker Stephen Parsons. “In the end, however, this law reflects the unique values of our Ottawa community.”
Few Indian nations have laws governing collective bargaining. The short list includes the Navajo Nation and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. “We decided that it was in the best interests of our community to give employees the right to bargain collectively,” explained Parsons. “As a sovereign tribal government, we have authority to grant employees those rights.” he said.
In 2008, union officials told Band leaders that a number of Resort security guards wanted union representation. The Band’s Tribal Council adopted a procedure for union elections, and the security employees later voted for union representation. Other employee groups at the Resort have since held union elections, some resulting in union representation and others not.
For information on the Band’s collective bargaining law, please contact the Office of Public Affairs, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
For further information, contact the Office of Public Affairs for the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians at 375 River Street, Manistee, MI49660. Office phone 231.723.8288. E-mail to gzaring@lrboi.com
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