UAW
Sovereignty and NLRB Subpoenas
Does the National Labor Relations Board have authority to issue subpoenas to tribal cops?
From the New London Day:
Sovereignty Takes Center Stage in NLRB Hearing
HARTFORD – Today’s National Labor Relations Board hearing on the unionization of casino dealers began with a fiery debate on sovereign immunity.
Foxwoods to Challenge Union Vote
From the New London Day:
NLRB Set To Hear Challenge Of Foxwoods’ Union
Testimony starts Tuesday during Hartford hearing
It is a contentious battle, which pits an Indian tribe that operates one of the most successful casinos in the world against one of the largest unions in North America.
Mashantucket Pequot Defense of Tribal Union Law
From the Connecticut Day:
Balancing The Rights Of Workers, Tribe
By Michael J. Thomas
We know you have been following recent events here at Mashantucket involving union activity. We are writing to you so that you might understand the position of the tribal nation, and hopefully understand that just as you are concerned with the rights of our workers, so are we.
Interesting Legal Argument on Unions in Tribal Casinos
From the blog On the Wings of Eagles….
NLRB Foxwoods Decision — October 24, 2007
The decision of the regional NLRB director in the Foxwoods Casino case is here.
One interesting passage from this opinion:
“I find particularly unpersuasive the Employer’s claim, unsupported by record evidence, that “a strike against the Tribal Gaming Enterprise would severely disrupt the Tribe’s continuing ability to provide essential services” to its constituent members. As previously indicated, the Employer has annual gross revenues in excess of $1 billion, and approximately 98% of the Tribe’s revenues are derived from the operation of Foxwoods. Thus, approximately 2 percent of the Tribe’s annual income, at least $20,000,000, is derived from outside sources. The record does not indicate the Tribe’s capital reserves, or the amounts needed to fund any of its essential services. Therefore, even if the Employer were to face a protracted strike, there is no evidence that it would have insufficient revenues and/or capital to provide the Tribe’s 900 members with any essential public service.
But what about tribal casinos that don’t make that kind of money or have larger memberships? Hmmm….
Turtle Talk 