Editorial: Unions in Oklahoma tribal casinos

Wednesday, November 28, 2007  

"As the Choctaw Nation moves forward with an ambitious plan to transform its casino in Hugo into a destination resort, tribal officials are keeping an eye on Texas, which doesn't have casino gaming but very well could someday. That possibility "is always on our mind,” says the tribe's gaming director, because Texas gamblers provide the bulk of the casino's business.

The Choctaws, and other tribes that operate gaming centers in Oklahoma, might also want to watch the goings-on in another state — Connecticut, of all places.

There, dealers at the Foxwoods Resort Casino voted recently to unionize. The giant casino is owned by the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, which fought to have the vote delayed while the National Labor Relations Board studied a ruling by regional NLRB officials who said the workers had the right to unionize. The NLRB chose to let the regional ruling stand, and dealers then voted overwhelmingly to join the United Auto Workers, which represents gambling workers in three other states."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Deal or ... Union shops in tribal casinos? (The Oklahoman 11/28)
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