The Teamsters Union is trying to organize employees of the Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan amid a legal battle over labor law on reservations.

The union stepped in after the tribe announced it would be making layoffs. "What I'm hearing is, 'We're afraid'," Ed Morin of the Teamsters told The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun.

Historically, labor laws have never applied on reservations. But the National Labor Relations Board issued a controversial ruling in May 2004 that restricted tribal sovereignty and overturned 30 years of precedent.

Tribes are fighting the ruling at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. A hearing took place last month.

Get the Story:
Teamsters tackle Tribe (The Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun 12/7)

House Video:
Subcommittee on Employer-Employee Relations - Hearing on H.R. 16, Tribal Labor Relations Restoration Act of 2005 (July 20, 2006)

Tribal Labor Bill:
Tribal Labor Relations Restoration Act of 2005 (H.R.16)

San Manuel Band v NLRB:
Briefs, Decisions and Documents (Native American Rights Fund)

National Labor Relations Board Decisions:
San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino | Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation

Relevant Links:
National Labor Relations Board - http://www.nlrb.gov

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