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Teamsters target Michigan casino

MICHIGAN – As reported by the Michigan Morning Sun: "The Teamsters Union is attempting to organize employees of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe's Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, and the organizer says the move to unionize is getting a good reception.

" I've not spoken to any employees who have opposed it,' said Ed Morin, business agent for Teamsters Local 486, based in Saginaw. 'We've had a couple of meetings. We're getting people educated.'

"The Tribe is the largest employer in Isabella County, and many of its employees are workers at the casino complex. Recently, the Tribe announced a restructuring of its work force, which included some layoffs, reductions in some workers' hours from full-time to part-time, and a requirement that employees pay a portion of health insurance premiums.

"…While the Teamsters represent commercial casino workers in Las Vegas and Mississippi, and are part of the coalition of unions representing workers at the three Detroit casinos, the Soaring Eagle is the first on-reservation, Native-owned casino the union has attempted to organize…"

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