IPR: Court to hear union dispute at Little River Band's casino

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians announced this week two agreements with unionized workers at the Little River Casino Resort.

Meanwhile a federal court will decide whether tribal law governing unionization goes far enough to protect workers. The U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals is scheduled to begin oral arguments today.

Many in Indian Country argue federal labor law doesn’t not apply on the reservation and it’s rare that an Indian nation will allow unions in casinos. The Little River Band does, but on it’s own terms. Under the tribe’s law, workers cannot strike and the tribe can determine “the terms and conditions under which collective bargaining may or may not occur.”