Former Seneca Nation casino employees in insurance battle

Monday, February 11, 2013  

Eight former gaming employees of the Seneca Nation of New York are battling the tribe over workers' compensation.

Seneca Gaming Corp. purchases coverage from Tribal First. All claims are handled under tribal law.

But the employees are trying to force the tribe to go through the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board. The tribe and Tribal First boycotted a January 31 hearing, The Buffalo News reported.

“Sovereign Native American nations are not required to purchase a New York State workers’ compensation policy. They may voluntarily purchase a policy, which would insure workplace accidents and illnesses of their employees,” a spokesperson for the board told the paper.

Get the Story:
Ex-workers challenge Senecas on insurance (The Buffalo News 2/9)