Mashantucket Tribe cites sovereignty over labor

Friday, March 21, 2008  

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut says its sovereignty is at risk in a fight over federal labor law.

The tribe says it funds its government with gaming revenues. Applying federal labor law at the Foxwoods Resort Casino would undermine tribal courts and other tribal institutions, lawyers said.

"This is no ordinary case,” Keith Harper, one of the tribe's attorneys told the National Labor Relations Board, The Norwich Bulletin reported. “It will not have ordinary consequences. The imposition of federal law in this case would undermine working tribal institutions."

The NLRB is holding a hearing to determine whether to allow the International Union of Operating Engineers to hold an election among physical plant workers. The NLRB has previously allowed the United Auto Workers to organize among card dealers.

Get the Story:
Lawyer: Tribal government funded by Foxwoods money (The Norwich Bulletin 3/21)
NLRB Hears Familiar Argument (The New London Day 3/21)
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