Engineering Workers At Foxwoods Get The OK To Vote On Union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=3f3a32f9-4e07-4e4e-8fa1-445b6b8c716b

Mashantuckets Again Argue Federal Agency Acting Out Of Its Jurisdiction
By Heather Allen , Published on 4/3/2008

Hartford — The National Labor Relations Board again asserted its authority over Foxwoods Resort Casino Wednesday, allowing a vote by 310 engineering department employees on whether they favor representation by the International Union of Operating Engineers.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, which owns and operates Foxwoods, argued that because it is a sovereign nation the NLRB does not have such jurisdiction. Peter B. Hoffman, the regional director of the NLRB in Hartford, rejected that argument in his decision.

Hoffman cited precedent set in the case of San Manuel Indian Casino v. the NLRB, which was decided on Feb. 9 in the U.S. Court of Appeals' District of Columbia Circuit and involved a much smaller tribal casino.

A union election will most likely be held within 30 days.

William Lynn, the lead organizer with the IUOE Local 30, said he was very happy with Hoffman's decision.

“This is a victory for the workers of the engineering department,” Lynn said. “I congratulate them.”

FULL story at link.