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September 28, 2007

UAW takes step toward forming union at Foxwoods

NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The United Auto Workers filed a petition today with the National Labor Relations Board seeking an election to form a union for about 3,000 dealers at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Union officials called the move the largest organizing effort in Connecticut in decades. It also would be one of the first unions at a tribal casino.

"This step is epochal, portending huge shifts in the legal and labor landscape at tribal casinos all around the country," said Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, whose office has supported such efforts. "It would almost inevitably lead to similar union efforts at other casinos."

The move came after UAW officials said a "supermajority" of the 3,000 dealers had signed cards in support of the effort. At least 30 percent of employees of a proposed bargaining unit must sign cards to force a vote, which is supervised by the NLRB.

UAW officials said in June they had started gathering signatures in a bid to unionize workers at Foxwoods. The casino in Mashantucket is owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and has 11,430 employees.

Foxwoods officials have been fighting the unionizing efforts, telling employees they will be required to pay dues and may lose benefits through negotiations. In February, the casino announced 5 percent raises and improved benefits after a New Year's Eve sickout to protest working conditions.

Full story ...

-- Associated Press

Posted by Andrea Panciera  at 1:26 PM | Permalink

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