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TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2002

Tribes with successful casinos are getting a boost by ignoring labor laws, The Wall Street Journal reports today.

The paper cites such worker requirements such as limiting workplace injury claims and vacation time; outlawing forced unionization; and putting a damper on lawsuits. Unnamed and anonymous casino employees, reportedly Mexican nationals, tell the Journal of draconian conditions.

Tribes aren't subject to the National Labor Relations Act, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals recently held. The paper doesn't cite the case.

The Journal does mention a recent New Mexico Supreme Court case which ruled tribes are free from liability lawsuits predating 1997 due to sovereign immunity. The paper doesn't mention tribes have agreed to be sued in state court under new compacts.

Get the Story:
Burgeoning Indian Casinos Get Ahead In Part by Dodging Labor Regulations (The Wall Street Journal 5/7)

Relevant Links:
National Labor Relations Board - http://www.nlrb.gov
National Right to Work Foundation - http://www.nrtw.org
NCAI resolution on labor - http://130.94.214.68/data/docs/resolution/
2001_winter_session/ECWS001_05.htm

Related Stories:
Tribal labor bill draws complaints (4/18)
Bush anti-union push opposed (2/7)
Bush bans unions at Justice agencies (1/16)
Pueblo wins sovereignty case (1/14)