Foxwoods

02/26/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $880,286 grant to assist approximately 165 workers affected by layoffs at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Conn.

"Today's grant will give affected workers access to re-employment services, allowing them to return to work faster," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small.

Awarded to the Connecticut Department of Labor and administered by the Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board, the grant will provide employment and training-related assistance to affected workers.

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, owners of the Foxwoods Resort Casino, announced layoffs on Sept. 30, 2008, because of the gaming industry's downturn. Those layoffs occurred on Oct. 17, 2008.    » read more »

December 4, 2007 -- "These contentions by Foxwoods seem flawed and futile. Their main legal complaint disputing application of federal labor laws has already been soundly and repeatedly rejected by the NLRB and the courts. Their grab bag collection of grievances seems contrived and unsupported. The overwhelming vote in favor of union representation fatally undercuts complaints about technical issues, even if true. We will review these objections and respond in depth as the proceeding goes forward.    » read more »

November 21, 2007 -- "This ruling is major victory for worker rights, clearing the way for Saturday's union election and affirming the NLRB's jurisdiction over tribal casinos. The NLRB rightly rejected Foxwoods' desperate, last ditch attempt to delay this vital unionization vote, as well as its baseless and bogus claim that federal labor laws do not apply.    » read more »

Will Urge NLRB To Reject Request

November 19, 2007 -- "I urge the NRLB to reject Foxwoods' abrupt and appalling attempt to deny Foxwoods dealers their long-scheduled and eagerly anticipated unionization vote. Foxwoods' eleventh hour demand for a delay of Saturday's election is unfair and unconscionable. Management could have requested this stay weeks ago, instead of throwing up a last minute roadblock.    » read more »

November 19, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has filed a brief opposing Foxwoods Resort Casino's appeal of a recent National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision allowing dealers to vote on unionization.

Foxwoods appealed the NLRB regional director's decision to the full board.

The NLRB ordered the vote based on an earlier board decision, NLRB vs. San Manuel Indian Bingo and Casino -- upheld by a federal appeals court -- that federal labor laws apply to tribal commercial ventures, including casinos.    » read more »

October 24, 2007 -- "This decision is a monumental breakthrough -- for Foxwoods dealers and their families, and fairness in the workplace.

"I am pleased that the NLRB agreed with my office and the United Auto Workers that federal labor law allows Indian casino workers to form bargaining units and scheduled a vote for Foxwoods dealers. In previous rulings supported by my office, the NLRB has decided and a federal appeals court has affirmed that employees of Indian casinos and other tribal commercial enterprises enjoy the same rights to organize as other workers.    » read more »

October 22, 2007 -- Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal will file a brief today in support of the United Auto Workers' (UAW) petition asking the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to schedule a unionization vote for Foxwoods Resort Casino dealers.    » read more »

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.    » read more »

September 28, 2007 -- "This petition is epochal - portending huge shifts in the legal and labor landscape at tribal casinos around the country. A vital victory in union recognition would give workers a voice and a choice without fear of retaliation.

"My office fought hard for this historic opportunity - rights exercised by 3,000 Foxwoods dealers in a first ever NLRB union election at a tribal casino. The courts accepted my argument that these casino dealers have the same rights as any workers anywhere, even if their employer is a federally recognized tribe on a sovereign reservation.    » read more »