Foxwoods Dealers, UAW Supporters Rally In Front Of MGM Grand

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=5da62248-d992-4a81-809b-a2a986bf0918

By Pat Daddona , Published on 5/18/2008

Hundreds of United Auto Workers members joined Foxwoods Resort Casino dealers in a rally Sunday morning to protest the lack of a contract with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and several lawmakers from Stamford to Montville spoke to the yellow-shirted workers from a podium to declare their support for the union, which was approved six months ago by the National Labor Relations Board.

The rally was planned for maximum visibility across from the MGM Grand entrance, which opened Saturday at midnight.

From 9 a.m. until noon, dealers waved blue UAW flags and hoisted placards to get the attention of passing cars, some of whom honked back.

The tribe has questioned the authority of the NLRB and continues to insist any union should be organized only under tribal law.