Court decision goes against San Manuel casino (force tribes to allow union organizers and picketing

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.pe.com/business/local/stories/PE_Biz_D_sanmanuel13.37f721b.html

Court decision goes against San Manuel casino

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 12, 2007

By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise

A federal appeals court has refused to revisit a decision by a three-judge panel involving the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians that could have broad implications for tribal sovereignty and labor relations.

The tribe said Tuesday it was disappointed with the ruling but was not sure what its next move would be. One option could be an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"We've not had a chance to confer with our counsel or our governing body," said Jacob L. Coin, director of tribal communications.


2005 / The Press-Enterprise
An appeals court has refused to rehear a ruling by a three-judge panel in a case involving the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians that gives a federal labor board jurisdiction over tribal casinos.


If the ruling stands, it could force tribes to allow union organizers and picketing on their reservations -- long considered sovereign land not under federal oversight.

In 2004, the National Labor Relations Board ruled it had jurisdiction over the tribe's casinos after two labor unions clashed while attempting to organize casino workers.

According to a labor ordinance that was adopted when most tribes signed gambling compacts with the state in 2000, workers at tribal casinos are barred from striking and unfair labor complaints must be taken up with the tribal government, not the federal government.

FULL story at link.