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Labor Hits Jackpot

Indian casino unionizes in Connecticut despite tribal claims of sovereignty

By Melinda Tuhus

Foxwoods Resort Casino rises from the hills of rural southeastern Connecticut like a gambler’s Oz. It is one of the country’s biggest Indian casinos and it is the largest employer in the state, with 10,000 workers. Of those employees, about 2,600 are dealers of games such as poker and blackjack. And on Nov. 24, 2007, many of these dealers placed… return to article

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    The casino industry in Minnesota now employees some 30,000 workers in these smoke-filled casinos.

    Doesn’t the American Cancer Society and the Heart and Lung Association see anything wrong with sending som many people to work in these smoke-filled casinos?

    Many casino workers are young women of child-bearing age, who these health organizations have identified as being at greatest risk.

    The racism and anti-labor agenda of politicians, many of whom are backed big-time by “organized labor,” is sickening.

    That these casinos would find so many patrons, including many union members, to continue sticking their pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters into the one-armed bandits is a national disgrace. Which makes me wonder why the International Confederation of Trade Unions has never looked into this shameful situation as part of theor campaigns for justice and dignity at work.

    I don’t think there has been a greater disgrace in this country since the days of slavery and the day the United States government murdered 38 Native Americans on the gallows in the mass hanging in Mankato, Minnesota, their crime: standing up for their rights against capitalist exploitation and the stealing of their lands… the situation in the Indian Gaming Industry is a continuation of the campaign of genocide… if thee is anyone who doesn’t believe this try working day in and day out in one of these smoke-filled casinos and then come home at the end of the week and not even be able to afford to buy groceries to feed your children.

    Alan L. Maki
    Director of Organizing,
    Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

    Elected Member, State Central Committee,
    Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party

    amaki000@centurytel.net

    United States Posted by alanmaki on Feb 6, 2008 at 4:58 PM

    Our rank and file initiated Organizing Committee, the Red Lake Casino Hotel and Restaurant Employees’ Union Organizing Committee made the first attempts to organize workers in the Indian Gaming Industry.

    Over 80% of the workers signed cards and the NLRB refused to do anything as did politicians here ion Minnesota.

    The UAW has bungled several attempts to organize casinos in the Indian Gaming Industry and they are on their way to bungling this one.

    We, the Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council, at present have ongoing union organizing campaigns at all casinos in Minnesota, two casinos in Wisconsin, two in Iowa and two in Michigan at the Island Casino near Petoskey and the Odawa Casino in Petoskey.

    The UAW has repeatedly refused to join us in opposing the “Compacts” which create these tribal casino operations.

    In fact, I have had to, literally, throw UAW leaders sitting at slot machines at the Odawa Casino out, lest I take their picture putting money into the “one arm bandits.”

    To complicate matters, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger has refused to join us in opposing the “Compact” --- first approved by Democratic, UAW backed Governor, Jennifer Granholm, then approved by the Michigan House, which is now before the Michigan Senate.

    This “Compact” for the Gun Lake Casino will allow the notoriously corrupt and anti-labor Fertitta Family to manage this Gun Lake Casino through its Station Casinos.

    Why would the UAW not join with us in opposition to allowing one more casino to open under the terms of this “Compact” which intentionally excludes any rights for casino workers?

    Right now, the Indian Gaming Industry, which is nothing more than a front for a bunch of mobsters, operates over 400 casinos under the Draconian terms of these “Compacts.”

    Over two-million American workers, and an untold number of undocumented workers, are employed in these loud, noisy, smoke-filled casinos without any rights under state, federal or tribal labor laws all at poverty wages--- with or without tips.

    Even the minimum wage laws and hours laws are not enforced, nor is the Family Leave Act.

    Casino workers are routinely denied breaks and often forced to work double shifts without even a lunch break.

    Why are politicians approving these “Compacts” creating these casinos fully aware that they are insuring the continuation of the most vile deprivation of even the most basic of human rights-- never mind being denied a voice at work.

    Casino workers are victims of all kinds of insurance fraud, scams and schemes like AFLACK, promoted by Wayne Newton and his quacking white duck.

    The question which needs to be asked is why Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm is being allowed to pull over another fast, shady shuffle on Michigan workers, many of whom will end up working in these casinos when they lose their jobs negotiated away by Ron Gettelfinger and the UAW in the auto industry?

    Here in Minnesota, State Legislators passed a law prohibiting smoking in the work-place--- that law is not being enforced at casinos.

    Continued below....

    United States Posted by alanmaki on Feb 6, 2008 at 4:58 PM

    Read the bottom of these two posts below first… sorry about the inconvenience

    United States Posted by alanmaki on Feb 6, 2008 at 5:00 PM
    Page 1 of 1 pages

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