Editorial: Unions in hot pursuit of tribal workers

Friday, November 30, 2007  

"A century ago, industrialists believed their workers were too ignorant and fearful of change to rise against management. They were wrong. Foxwoods officials apparently believed their treasured Indian sovereignty would protect them from unions seeking to stem their decline by scouting out new territory. They were wrong, too.

In reality, Indian sovereignty is whatever Congress says it is -- ”one of Congress' few powers under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution is to "regulate Commerce ... with the Indian tribes" -- and the courts and National Labor Relations Board have fallen solidly into line with the union organizers. Barring a court reversal that would catch everyone by surprise, the UAW and other unions will be in hot pursuit of the Indian casinos' estimated 670,000 workers nationwide.

The union movement long ago recognized its base in the manufacturing sector was shrinking and reached out to other venues, achieving notable successes in organizing government workers. Now the casinos, previously off limits because of sovereignty issues, appear to be fair game."

Get the Story:
Dealers gamble on Big Labor (The Waterbury Republican-American 11/30)