Pequots ordered to bargain with UAW

Labor board: Union must be recognized

By Staff reports

Norwich Bulletin

Posted Oct 02, 2008

The National Labor Relations Board has ordered the management at Foxwoods Resort Casino to bargain with the dealers and assistant floor supervisors represented by the United Auto Workers Union.

In a ruling Tuesday, the board also ordered Foxwoods to recognize the union as the lawful bargaining representative of poker and table games dealers and assistant floor supervisors, and to bargain upon request with the union.

The Mashantucket Pequots, owners of Foxwoods, have refused to recognize the Nov. 24 vote by 2,600 casino dealers to join the UAW and to bargain with the union. The tribe maintains the UAW and the labor board have no jurisdiction at Foxwoods because the casino is owned and run by a sovereign nation.

Tribal attorney Jackson King could not be reached for comment Thursday, but he has said in the past that the NLRB orders undermine its sovereignty.

King previously urged the dealers to seek certification under tribal law and participate in collective bargaining using avenues established by the Mashantucket government.

He also has indicated the tribe is ready to take the issue to federal court.

Denise Gladue of Uncasville, a dealer and assistant floor supervisor at Foxwoods for 14 years, was one of the union organizers.

“We are gratified, but not surprised by the board’s action,” she said in a press release issued Thursday by the UAW. “We are calling on Foxwoods management to accept this result and meet with us to bargain a fair union contract.”

The union requested to bargain with management in a July 3 letter after the NLRB certified the union June 30. Foxwoods refused to bargain, and the NLRB regional director charged Foxwoods with unfair labor practices and sought the bargaining order.

“Foxwoods management should respect the decision by a majority of the workers, respect the labor board’s order, and come to the bargaining table,” Bob Madore, UAW Region 9A director, said in Thursday’s press release.

On Tuesday, Foxwoods management announced it will lay off 700 employees this month, citing the economic downturn. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun have seen declining revenue for many months.

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