Labor Unions Push Congress To Enact Indian Casino In Mich.
Calling it good for Michigan jobs and Native American tribes, labor unions are urging lawmakers to enact legislation for a tribal land swap that would open the door to construction of a resort/casino in the Wolverine State.
Labor groups led by the United Auto Workers (UAW), Building Trades and Operating Engineers are urging the U.S. House to pass HR 4115, which would create more than 3,000 good jobs for Michigan by settling a century-old land claim for the state's largest Indian tribe, the unions say in a statement.
HR 4115, which may be voted on by the full House next week, would resolve a 120-year-old illegal land taking from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in an area now known as Charlotte Beach in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, according to the unions. The legislation effectively creates a land swap that ends a chapter in Michigan history when land was stolen from the Sault Tribe and another U.P. tribe. Federal approval of the land swap extinguishes lingering court cases, the unions add.
The legislation, passed 22-5 on Feb. 13 by the House Natural Resources Committee, would create new trust lands for the Sault Tribe in Romulus or Flint, Mich. On the new trust lands the Sault Tribe would build a modern casino/hotel resort. The $300 million project would create
more than 3,000 jobs with high wages and full benefits. Also under the agreement, the tribe would pay more than $30 million a year to the state of Michigan and millions more to local communities.
Labor groups supporting HR 4115 include the UAW, the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council of Asbestos Workers; Bricklayers; Boilermakers; Cement Masons; Electrical Workers; Elevator Constructors; Glaziers & Glassworkers; Heat & Frost Insulators; Iron Workers; Laborers; Painters; Plasterers;
Plumbers & Pipefitters; Roofers & Waterproofers; Sheet Metal Workers; Sign Pictorial & Display Workers; and Sprinkle Fitters.
"With Michigan currently leading the nation with the highest unemployment rate, it is critical that new employment opportunities are created to replace the recent loss of nearly 250,000 manufacturing jobs," says Patrick "Shorty" Gleason, president of the Michigan Building and
Construction Trades Council. "I strongly support HR 4115 because it will provide thousands of employment opportunities in southeastern Michigan for working families."
Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:
Bookmark http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/ and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.
Labor groups led by the United Auto Workers (UAW), Building Trades and Operating Engineers are urging the U.S. House to pass HR 4115, which would create more than 3,000 good jobs for Michigan by settling a century-old land claim for the state's largest Indian tribe, the unions say in a statement.
HR 4115, which may be voted on by the full House next week, would resolve a 120-year-old illegal land taking from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in an area now known as Charlotte Beach in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, according to the unions. The legislation effectively creates a land swap that ends a chapter in Michigan history when land was stolen from the Sault Tribe and another U.P. tribe. Federal approval of the land swap extinguishes lingering court cases, the unions add.
The legislation, passed 22-5 on Feb. 13 by the House Natural Resources Committee, would create new trust lands for the Sault Tribe in Romulus or Flint, Mich. On the new trust lands the Sault Tribe would build a modern casino/hotel resort. The $300 million project would create
more than 3,000 jobs with high wages and full benefits. Also under the agreement, the tribe would pay more than $30 million a year to the state of Michigan and millions more to local communities.
Labor groups supporting HR 4115 include the UAW, the International Union of Operating Engineers and the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council of Asbestos Workers; Bricklayers; Boilermakers; Cement Masons; Electrical Workers; Elevator Constructors; Glaziers & Glassworkers; Heat & Frost Insulators; Iron Workers; Laborers; Painters; Plasterers;
Plumbers & Pipefitters; Roofers & Waterproofers; Sheet Metal Workers; Sign Pictorial & Display Workers; and Sprinkle Fitters.
"With Michigan currently leading the nation with the highest unemployment rate, it is critical that new employment opportunities are created to replace the recent loss of nearly 250,000 manufacturing jobs," says Patrick "Shorty" Gleason, president of the Michigan Building and
Construction Trades Council. "I strongly support HR 4115 because it will provide thousands of employment opportunities in southeastern Michigan for working families."
Watch more breaking news now on our video feed:
Bookmark http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/ and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.
Labels: casino, Chippewa, Congress, economy, hr 4115, indians, Michigan, Native American, UAW
posted by Scott Nance at
3:59 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home