NLRB postpones hearing on union complaints about Foxwoods

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=ba53f2ad-c42e-4862-991b-33096665ed8b

By Heather Allen Published on 3/24/2008

The National Labor Relations board has postponed indefinitely a hearing to examine union claims of unfair labor practice by Foxwoods Resort Casino.

The hearing on claims by the United Auto Workers union were scheduled to begin Tuesday,according John Cotter, assistant regional director for the NLRB.

Cotter said, “There appear to be fruitful negotiations” among Foxwoods, the union and the labor board.
“The discussions are in an encouraging stage,” he said.

The claims against Foxwoods, which is owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, relate in particular to the unionizing effort that took place at the casino before a November election. Poker and table game dealers voted in favor of union representation by the UAW.

Cotter said that not all documents have been signed, but if a settlement is reached, the labor board would enforce some aspects of that agreement, while other conditions would be agreed upon between the tribe and union.

Neither the union nor the tribe has yet released any information about a possible settlement.