Connecticut Attorney General Files Motion To Intervene In NLRB Hearing On Foxwoods Unionization Vote

October 12, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today sought to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) in asking federal labor officials to give Foxwoods Resort Casino dealers the opportunity to vote on unionization.

Blumenthal filed a motion to intervene on the side of the UAW in the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hearing on the union's petition for a vote. If granted, Blumenthal would file briefs and make oral arguments backing the UAW's request for a unionization vote.

Federal law allows unions to seek a vote when at least 30 percent of employees sign cards supporting creation of a bargaining unit. The UAW says a majority of Foxwoods' approximately 3,000 dealers signed the cards.

"While meaning no disrespect to the sovereignty of the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, the courts have ruled indisputably and unequivocally that federal law guarantees these workers rights to organize and collectively bargain as they choose," Blumenthal said. "Even good jobs can be made better by affording workers full rights. As we did in the San Manuel case, our intervention here should help safeguard such rights. Foxwoods dealers deserve the protection and promise of higher wages and better working conditions that a union would provide."

The hearing, which is expected to last several weeks, began today in Hartford.

Source: Connecticut Attorney General