Another thought and exchange of opinion with a UAW official... concerning the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant

Note: For more background on this issue check out my blog:

http://capitalistglobalization.blogspot.com/

You will probably find this blog to be among the most comprehensive places to find information on this issue.


-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Maki [ amaki000@centurytel.net ]

Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 10:04 AM

To: Lynn Hinkle [ lhinkle@peoplepc.com ]

Cc: Thomas Kurhajetz [ thomaskurhajetz@frontiernet.net ]

Subject: Another thought... concerning the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant





Lynn,

I have some concerns about the role of the United Auto Workers union leadership--- locally, the regional leadership, and the national leadership--- particularly the role of Dick Long, the national chair of UAW-CAP (United Auto Workers-Community Action Program)who seems to want to be kept apprised of my activities in Michigan and Minnesota for some unexplained reason. Since Dick Long has apparently not demonstrated an interest in keeping the Ford Plant open, you can understand why I am wondering what his interest would be in my activities here in Minnesota. Dick has not demonstrated much of an interest in advancing the rights of casino workers in Michigan, so I don't know what his interest is there, either.

I think we need to consider some kind of “open letter” to the Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party on this issue… one which lets them know people are unhappy with a DFL dominated Legislative Caucus which can not move legislation to save the Ford Plant through a DFL dominated Senate Committee on the one hand along with a “gentle” reminder the DFL now has an added responsibility to act aggressively on this issue in a timely manner while they have domination of both the House and Senate with an important election coming up.

I don’t think it is right that the DFL leadership would place this Plant in jeopardy by now telling the UAW to stick with us and help us expand our majority in the Senate and the House because this is subjecting the future of working people to a “crap shoot.” No one knows what the next election might bring.





We should notify DFL legislators we are circulating the "open letter" so they know building a movement to save the Ford Plant is underway; I think we should keep this letter brief and simple… circulate it for a couple months among activists, in the communities throughout Minnesota, and in the Ford Plant for rank and file workers to sign onto.

I recently received a letter from the Chair of the Pine County DFL--- Thomas Kurhajetz (thomaskurhajetz@frontiernet.net) asking if Ford workers were prepared and interested in taking on the role of running this plant if kept open under some scheme of public ownership--- whether through some type of worker/legislative proposal or a joint partnership with say the Chinese (perhaps Cubans and Venezuelans). I think this is a very legitimate question and the type of letter I am suggesting would help to answer his question.

I think it rather obvious we need such grassroots community and rank and file initiative in order to combat the role of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce in all of this whose members obviously have several reasons for wanting to see large-scale industrial production come to an end at the Ford Plant because this will help to drive wages down in the surrounding area, and very influential real-estate speculators active in the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce stand to make a killing on this entire deal. Members of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce exert tremendous influence within the Minnesota DFL through the DFL Business Caucus.

Apparently the DFL Party leadership and the DFL Legislative Caucus have been reluctant to respond because they are getting too many mixed signals from the UAW local and national leadership. On one hand the lawyer for the UAW sits on the Ford Site Planning Committee and has been quite silent on keeping the plant a manufacturing facility; on the other hand, the local UAW leadership failed to approach the Minnesota House or Senate with the full weight of the membership backing them up in these two committee hearings; with the Senate hearing turning into a complete fiasco and defeat for the proposed legislation package put together by Senator Cohen. I think maybe the DFL Party and Legislative Caucus leaderships are getting the idea the UAW was merely going through some motions without any intent to follow through. This would certainly be in keeping with an “all talk, no action” attributed to the UAW Administrative (Reuther faction) Caucus of Ron Gettlefinger.

We should be aware of a few problems:

One, the UAW local leadership has apparently given up any hope of saving this plant and has become rather bitter from what I have been told regarding the MN DFL; unfortunately the MN DFL is our only hope of saving the Ford Plant and we are going to have to muster tremendous grassroots community involvement along with rank and file worker activity in the Plant to mount the kind of pressure needed to over come the influence of the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce and the DFL Business Caucus;

Two, the UAW local has not raised the issue of public ownership;

Three, the UAW through its attorney who is on the Ford Site Planning Committee has refused to challenge the devious and very racist planning methods used by this Ford Site Planning Committee in that even the proposed housing scheme is designed, by intent, to circumvent integrated housing while allowing one of the most successfully integrated plants to close.

This housing scheme is based upon maximizing the profits of the Ford Motor Company and real-estate speculators; bringing into question the role of Merritt Clapp-Smith who obviously has a conflict of interest in all of this.

As you are aware, Merritt Clapp-Smith has refused to address my questions put to her regarding her family’s role in the Twin Cities real-estate market. Apparently the investigators for the City of St. Paul whose job it is to investigate such claims of conflict of interest are either taking their sweet old time in conducting the investigation they informed me they would be undertaking--- until after the dirty work has been done; or, they have swept this under the rug.

Since the Clapp family has a history of under-handed and even illegal real-estate dealings this makes the call for Merritt Clapp-Smith’s role in all of this even more necessary to explore the aspect of a “conflict” of interest.

There is also the aspect of the “fiduciary” responsibilities of public officials which would seem to have been “over-looked” in this entire matter.

I also think this Apollo Alliance needs to become involved in this struggle to save the Ford Plant along with those who attended the Cornell University forum (A North American Labor Assembly on Climate Crisis: Building a Global Movement for Clean Energy) which could give this issue an international perspective since the issues of climate change and capitalist globalization figure prominently in this issue.

The United Steel Workers union President Leo Girard and the head of the Sierra Club, Carl Pope were in the Twin Cities quite some time ago demonstrating concern for the future of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant, however we haven't seen anything of the two since. And, David Foster, the former USW Regional Director--- now replaced by Bob Bratulich--- is a very prominent figure in the Apollo Alliance. So far, I have not heard any of them address the issue of using public ownership to save the Ford Plant.

To me, it doesn't seem logical to continue talking about "saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant" knowing the politicians and others have given up on finding another corporate owner for the Plant; and, then, refusing to follow through on putting forward public ownership which is the only alternative remaining.

I also think we need to find a way to link up with those who have developed what appears to be a mass auto-worker/community response to a similar situation in Windsor, Ontario.

I have Bcc’ed this e-mail to a number of others including a number of UAW rank and file activists around the Midwest and some members of Soldiers of Solidarity who have asked me to keep them up to speed on what is taking place around this issue.

You might be interested in a letter I sent to Dick Long on another matter available on my blog:

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2007_08_10_archive.html

Below is a sample leaflet I have sent out to a group of people who have expressed interest in public ownership of the Ford Plant. I am suggesting it be circulated inside the Ford Plant to find out if there is interest on the part of Ford workers in their running this plant while under public ownership since Thomas Kurhajetz, the MN DFL Chair for Pine County, has now raised this very important, basic, and fundamental question. I think his question bares out the fact that interest in saving the Ford Plant concerns many Minnesotans. Obviously, unless Ford workers, members of UAW Local 879, have a chance to discuss this issue we will never know the answer to his question expressed, very bluntly, in an e-mail to me:

So Alan have the workers at the Ford Plant expressed an interest in running the plant?

Tom Ktz.

I answered:

Not yet... but then again, no one asked them.

I also think we need to find a way to legally challenge the sale of the Ford Dam which has been an integral part--- and reason for--- Ford's very profitable long-time venture in the Twin Cities.

It would be unfair for a publicly owned enterprise to be hobbled with having to pay for the same electricity the Ford Motor Company has had access to for free all these years since the Plant was built... compliments of Minnesota tax-payers.





That this hydro producing Ford Dam is being sold to a foreign corporation, thus allowing yet another corporation to be in control of our energy resources, is of further concern at a time when there is a stated objective to be free of foreign domination in the energy producing field.

I noticed in your article on the need to save the Ford Plant the concept of public ownership is missing, also.

Alan

Alan L. Maki
58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/


****************


Sample leaflet:

Do you find it strange--- living in the world's greatest democracy--- no one has asked YOU if you are interested in keeping this plant and dam intact, and operating? Has anyone asked YOU if you might be interested running this plant in order to save your job, and the jobs of future generations of working people here in the Twin Cities if this St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant were to be placed under public ownership through state legislative mandate?

Who should be asking YOU this question?

Union leaders to begin with.

The Minnesota Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, for sure.

The members of the Ford Site Planning Committee.

St. Paul and Minneapolis city council members.

State and federal legislators.

The news media.

If you are interested in the concept of Public Ownership, we can work together in some kind of "Ad Hoc Committee" composed of community activists and rank and file union activists from this plant...

We would like to talk to you about what we can do together.

Let's get acquainted and discuss our options.

As residents of the community, community activists, and fellow workers employed throughout the area we are fully aware that your struggles over the years have contributed to all of us living better lives, too.

We need not wait for so-called "leaders" to act... rank and file working class activists like Phil Raymond and Brother Bill McKie built the UAW... time is of the essence... the real-estate speculators have the wrecking balls moving in.

A citizens' initiative to Save the Ford Plant is called for; a citizens', grassroots initiative might be able to save the Ford Plant.

In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and community activists did just this... they convinced the government to go along with the idea and the farm implement manufacturing business is doing better than it ever did under Ford ownership.

We have already wasted a great deal of time waiting for others to do something for us and they haven't delivered in saving this plant.

We need to act quickly without further delay... we have waited far too long already waiting for community, union, and political leaders to act... the next step is ours to take.

We can all see what we get when we wait for so-called "leaders" to do anything for us... we need look no further than the I-35W Bridge submerged in the Mississippi River.

***************


Lynn Hinkle wrote the following article:

Ford site could be the launching pad for green manufacturing in Minnesota

By: LYNN HINKLE

TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press


Making the most of the Ford site won't happen with business- or labor- or governance-as-usual. And, as we rebuild our economy in sync with our environment, it's worth noting that some local union folks began working on that years ago - at the Ford plant.

Without fanfare, UAW Local 879 worked for more than 10 years to creatively maximize the assets of Ford's Twin Cities Assembly Plant in St. Paul.

These efforts worked. As a result, the life of the plant with its good jobs was extended, until a year ago Ford announced plans to close the plant in 2008.

Now, those creative efforts by Local 879 should help frame the choices for the mayor's Ford Site Task Force, which has been asked to recommend a redevelopment plan.
Those choices include a range of options, from simply maintaining the Ford plant's premier green manufacturing capabilities to enabling complementary enhancements.

A big problem, however, is Ford's near-term effort to sell its electricity-generating dam on the Mississippi. Selling the dam separate from the rest of the site would narrow the Ford Site Task Force's options - from creating a range of world-class green manufacturing possibilities to overseeing brown-field infill.

Here's why this is especially troubling:

In large part because of the Ford plant's clean hydro power, a stable, vibrant, mixed-use community has grown around it in St. Paul.

But in many other U.S. communities, although it sustained families and built cities, manufacturing has lost its appeal. It has become the object of a NIMBY - "not-in-my-backyard" - groundswell.

This NIMBY attitude has given more-than-subtle support for the off-shoring of U.S. manufacturing capacity. The result has been a decline in manufacturing jobs here and in environmental quality where the facilities relocated.

Years ago, UAW Local 879 saw these forces working against manufacturing. Instead of resting on what was already one of the world's greenest manufacturing platforms, we moved to make it more sustainable. Some of St Paul and Minnesota's best manufacturing jobs were at stake. Proactively, we set out to improve the Ford plant's market position with a framework that's now understood as "sustainability."

For example:

• The local negotiated with Ford to create a one-of-its-kind work week agreement that reduced the Ford plant's carbon footprint and created new revenue from the hydro power.

• At roughly the same time, the local began a collaborative effort to add another asset to our Ford plant: an onsite training center. With resources from the state and the UAW, the center provided leading-edge robotics skills to Ford workers and Minnesota college students.

By the normal standards, the Ford plant workforce was recognized for its sustained high quality and productivity. But adding value where none had existed before was connecting dots no one else had even seen.

• In 2005, the local again took the initiative, this time to create production flexibility that helped make the most of the hydro power. Manufacturing almost anything on that site, because of its clean power, would represent an advantage in a greening economy. But the local also proposed a plan for a green product from this highly sustainable plant.

The idea was to produce green products, like flex-fuel Rangers, from our already-green plant. The idea was meant to keep manufacturing jobs in St Paul by giving Ford a stunning launch into a future being rapidly reshaped by demands for carbon reduction.

The problem was getting Ford to see how a green product from a green plant could dramatically meet and reshape an already growing sustainability market.

Unlike Ford, the state aligned with this vision. It created a Task Force on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Representing a broad range of interests, that Task Force met regularly at the UAW hall to map out state deployment of plug-in hybrids and possible production of hybrids or other green products at the Ford plant.

The idea here is this: St. Paul has tremendous potential to press its manufacturing advantage in an increasingly green marketplace.

Manufacturing vehicles involving clean-fuel technology at St Paul's premier green plant would be a clear expression of the green product/green plant vision. But the opportunity for green products goes beyond the next generation of personal transportation.

The Ford plant as an integrated site is well suited for a green manufacturing park blending production of wind turbines and light-rail vehicles.

The symmetry of hydro turbines powering production of wind turbines is beautiful. It could secure generations of manufacturing jobs while helping to restore our planetary home.

Does this manufacturing use at the core of the future site preclude other complementary uses, like an expanded training/research facility? If Highland's current mixed use is any clue, it hasn't yet.

But without the hydro's clean, economical power at the core of its future use, the site becomes a limited-option brown-field - less likely to produce a manufacturing park's economic multiplier from tax-paying, solid-wage jobs.

There's much more at stake here than what winds up on that piece of property. The Ford Assembly Plant could be an inspiring model of sustainable development. It could be a launch site for a whole new manufacturing capability for Minnesota - an opportunity, for example, to meet the large, long-term demand for wind turbines that the state's new Renewable Energy Standard will require. It could include manufacturing at each point in the supply chain, all the way back to Minnesota-supplied iron ore. That is manufacturing capability no other state has yet secured.

Minnesota could become the land of 10,000 green-collar jobs.

These ideas for manufacturing aligned with a green future are natural expressions of the Ford plant's legacy of sustainability.

UAW Local 879 has been a steward of that legacy. As such, we are aligned with the Ford Site Task Force to keep good options on the table. These options range from maintaining the premier green manufacturing site to complementary mixed use. The key is to keep the Ford site linked to its source of economical and carbon-free energy.
Now is the perfect time to at least examine the role of municipal power in Sacramento or in Austin, Texas, as way to drive economic development.

Equally instructive is St Paul's own historic leadership - in the complex creation of District Heating and in recent efforts to keep manufacturing jobs at Rock-Tenn by maintaining a source of clean, economical energy.

As it has in the past, St. Paul needs to be creative - this time at the Ford site. At a minimum, it should support efforts to keep the elements of the site as an integrated whole.

It's not possible to overstate the impact of decisions about the future use of the Ford site.

And it's not possible to make the most of this opportunity with business-, labor-, or governance-as-usual.

Can we rebuild manufacturing on a green path?

Can we revitalize our economy while we get in sync with our planet?

Manufacturing jobs powered by hydro, right here in St Paul, remain an exciting part of the answer.

Lynn Hinkle, who lives in Minneapolis five minutes away from the St. Paul Ford plant, is a recently retired UAW Local 879 official. He wrote the Ford green plant proposal and is currently co-chair of the state's plug-in hybrid electric vehicle task force. His e-mail address is: lhinkle@peoplepc.com


***********

Minimum Wage and the AFL-CIO & Change to Win

Not long ago, I published what has probably been my most controversial blog to date; at least it generated the most response... over 700 e-mails, many phone calls, and many personal conversations... pro and con, with very sharp divisions in thinking.

Here is the link to my original blog:

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/working-class-studies-association.html

This is the part which created so much controversy:

It is important that the distinction between organized labor, its present leadership, and the over all working class is made because very often the present leadership of many unions, and especially the leadership in the national labor federations— the AFL-CIO and Change To Win— do not represent their own members very effectively, let alone the entire working class.

This is evident in many struggles.

As might be expected, rank and file workers pretty much supported this while a number of elected and appointed union leaders felt I was way off base.

I got an e-mail from a friend of mine in the UAW employed at Bradford White, a manufacturer of hot water heaters in southwest Michigan stating:

Alan, you sure put into one small paragraph just what many of us have been thinking for years as the labor movement has been deteriorating, losing members, and losing influence.

A Regional Director from a large international union, had a different view:

Maki, you don't know what the hell you are talking about.

What I also found is many liberal and progressive writers and the thinkers in academia did not even understand the point I was making.

I was actually quite surprised with the response I received from a well known professor and labor historian, who wrote:

Mr. Maki you obviously know nothing about what you are writing about. Union leaders in this country do an excellent job reflecting what working people need. Most workers couldn't care less about politics or labor history. Workers don't read or understand anything in this country. They are very fortunate to have well educated labor leaders looking out for their interests.

I would note that neither the Regional Director nor the professor have taken a stand on saving the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant.

I think this demonstrates why it becomes so important for rank and file workers to begin expressing their views more aggressively... especially through writing. For some reason lots of working people are timid in stating their views in writing; and, without the views from rank and file workers the debates on many issues in our country are extremely lacking when it comes to finding solutions to problems working people are experiencing.

I often receive these wonderful letters from working people responding to what I write... most based upon their personal experiences where they work and in the communities where they live. I suggest to them they should begin publishing their views through blogging, leaflets, letters to the editors, etc. and they often respond, "I can't write well enough." Something is terribly wrong with our culture when people are made to feel their views will not be taken seriously and only the views of the adjuncts from the corporate think tanks and university professors have a corner on expressing their views through the written word.

Even progressive list serves often take the view that writing has to be to a certain standard and quality... in my opinion this is just plain wrong.

On a national level I think the issue of the minimum wage very clearly demonstrates the truth of this statement I refer to above.

Closer to home here in Minnesota, I think the issue of the future of the St. Paul Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant slated to close and send two-thousand jobs down the river demonstrates my point quite well; tomorrow, on this blog, I am publishing a letter I sent to a leader of UAW Local 879.

Even among progressive working class bloggers I see this problem over and over again where it is accepted without challenge that leaders like John Sweeney of the AFL-CIO speak for the entire working class; there just isn't any truth to this when it comes to many issues.

I am publishing below my response to a well known labor blogger concerning the minimum wage which I think reflects the problem.

If more workers being forced to "live" on the minimum wage and poverty wages would begin to detail their life experiences in writing I think we would see some changes very quickly.

Note: If Dick Meister responds to me I will publish his response in its entirety.

Mr. Dick Meister;

While I agree with you that the present increase in the minimum wage is no where near what it should be… your miserly nine dollar figure is also shameful; and far short of what is required.

Here is what I do not understand: We have a United States Department of Labor which pays people extremely well for the purpose of calculating what a living income actually is.

Why would progressives and the labor movement advocate anything short of the real living non-poverty wage calculated by the United States Department of Labor for any workers in this country?

In lieu of a real non-poverty wage, incomes could be subsidized through advanced social programs like child care; single-payer, universal health care; heavily subsidized quality, integrated public housing; public takeover of closing manufacturing facilities like the Ford Plant in St. Paul; heavily subsidized higher public education; lowering the threshold for welfare and food stamps, etc… in line with the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

I note that the anti-communist clause was not put back into the new AFL-CIO constitution; however, the approach of solving the problems the “reds” in the labor movement have advocated for years in solving the problems of the working class remain “taboo.”

In fact, organized labor has refused to take up these questions in any kind of principled way… choosing the “press release method of struggle and cozying up to Democratic Party politicians and their political hacks begging for a few crumbs;” rather than mobilizing rank and file working people by empowering them to organize for real change based upon a real progressive agenda which includes real solutions to very real problems they are experiencing at work and in the communities where they live.

It would be very simple to legislatively tie the minimum wage to what the United States Department of Labor calculates a real living income for workers to be.

Many working people are coming to resent well paid and well-heeled leaders of “organized” labor and “liberal” politicians who continue to advocate poverty wages for so many working people when these very same labor leaders, politicians, and political hacks don’t even stand up and fight to protect the jobs and well-being of their own members very well in so many cases.

In fact, close to two million workers are now employed across the country in approximately four hundred or so “Indian” casinos and the related hospitality industries; these workers have no rights at all under state, federal, or tribal labor laws nor the National Labor Relations Act… even as these tribes ignore a recent appeals court ruling stating the NLRA applies to these casinos… these casino managements flagrantly flaunt the ruling now that it has come down even though their attorneys represented them in Appeals court… now their attorneys advise them to ignore the ruling without even appealing it.

Here you have two million workers with no rights in the workplace which means for all practical purposes they don’t have the most basic and fundamental rights to participate in their communities or the political process--- if an employer can fire you at will without reason--- do you really think these two million workers feel comfortable speaking out on issues like the minimum wage or the poverty wages they all receive?

John Sweeney has not once addressed this problem as he claims to be an advocate for increasing the minimum wage as the rest of you sit by without a whimper of protest as Michigan’s labor backed Governor has signed another one of these “Compacts” creating one more casino and the State House has gone along with this “Compact” as the Michigan Senate prepares to follow right along in the next week or so. I would think that progressives would let out a howl of protest and indignation holding these Michigan politicians accountable to the constituency they claim to represent. Why would the Michigan House Floor leader not be able to convince his entire Democratic Party Caucus to send this “Compact” back to be renegotiated… this is common to the collective bargaining process, eh? When one side disagrees… the contract goes back for some fine tuning and upgrading. Is there a reason this can’t happen in the legislative process with a casino “Compact?” None what-so-ever except organized labor has not insisted on this happening.

In fact, Gary Garbarino tells me labor leaders “instructed” his boss, Democratic Floor Leader Steve Tobacman not to discuss with me this solution. Why? Because I am not affiliated with “legitimate” labor unions… when I asked what he meant by “legitimate” he stated “AFL-CIO or Change to Win” affiliated unions. Since when aren’t rank and file initiatives “legitimate” in this country? I made two very simple proposals:

1.) This “Compact” should include extending the protections under state and federal labor laws to casino workers all other workers in Michigan enjoy; and

2.) Casino workers should be employed in smoke free environments. What kind of labor leaders would advise politicians bought and paid for with the dues of union members to ignore this proposal which amounts to nothing more than advocating casino workers be treated with respect and common human decency… as if they were human beings? It is these very same labor leaders that now “inform” our society what the minimum wage should be based upon figures pulled from a hat.

In Michigan, organized labor makes the boast that it controls the Governor and the State House… yet, even unions like the United Auto Workers refuse to acknowledge the problem of ignoring the plight of casino workers in these Compacts.

Let me point out these two million workers are employed in the most atrocious conditions created due to second-hand smoke and managements’ complete control in the workplace.

I am appalled you and “progressive” and “left” outfits like Portside would continue to intentionally ignore the plight of these two million casino and hospitality workers right along with John Sweeney, the AFL-CIO and Change to Win and then choose to put forward a figure you pull from a hat for political expediency as to what the minimum wage should be when you have the figures scientifically calculated by the United States Department of Labor.

How can we explain the AFL-CIO, the UAW, and Change to Win not being able to force a labor backed Governor and State Legislature in a State like Michigan to go back and renegotiate this compact to include the rights of working people… thus creating an industry standard for all of these Compacts?

I would point out that the Fertitta Family and its chain of Station Casinos which will manage the proposed new Gun Lake casino in Michigan will end up making billions of dollars from this casino venture leaving the workers with empty peanut shells.

Is there anyone who is stupid enough to believe, given the way organized crime “skims” these casino operations, that casino workers shouldn’t be making at least as much as any coal miner, iron ore miner, or auto worker?

In fact, a minimum wage increase along the lines of what has been passed and the miserly increase you propose will only be enough to get working people kicked off from existing social programs having “income qualifiers,” while subjecting them to even harsher conditions of poverty while forcing many to take jobs in the casino industry working in these smoke filled casinos for poverty wages without any rights or a voice at work.

I would encourage you to check out my blog for further information on this issue.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net


Check out my blog:

Thoughts From Podunk

http://thepodunkblog.blogspot.com/

Letter to United Auto Workers Union (UAW) concerning the rights of casino workers and the Gun Lake Tribe

-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]

Sent: Friday, August 10, 2007 11:01 AM

To: DLONG@uaw.net; Nadine Nosal; gdubovich@usw.org; lgerard@usw.org; senrichardville@senate.michigan.gov

Cc: Gary Garbarino; editor@indiancountry.com; editor@allegannews.com; Michael Johnston; stevetobocman@house.mi.gov; colemanayoungii@house.mi.gov

Subject: Gun Lake Casino "Compact;" the struggle for workers' rights moves to the Michigan Senate

Brother Dick Long, UAW-CAP;

Could you please tell me if the votes made by members of the Michigan House on
August 8, 2007 concerning the Gun Lake Tribes casino "Compact"---HR 158 and HCR 39 will be included in compiling voting records for rating how Michigan Legislators have voted on labor issues?

As I am sure you have noted, the majority of Michigan House Democrats shamefully voted for HR 158 and HCR 39 in spite of the fact that casino workers will have no rights under state or federal labor laws under the terms negotiated by labor’s Democratic Governor with the Gun Lake Tribe.

I am sure you have taken note Democratic Representative Sak and Floor Leader Steve Tobacman both voted “no” on HR 158 and HCR 39; however, what is of grave concern to me, as I am sure it is to you, these leaders of the Democratic Party Caucus were unable to sway most of their Democratic colleagues to vote with them for some strange reason which apparently was a deal worked out behind closed doors during a hastily called caucus meeting prior to the vote. This was a dirty deal for all working people in the shameful manner democracy and open government played second fiddle with workers’ rights not even being allowed on stage.

I would encourage the United Auto Workers Union’s Community Action Program to consider these “Yes” votes as anti-labor votes; and, inform your membership of these anti-labor votes of the members of the Michigan Democratic Party Legislative Caucus.

Hopefully the United Auto Workers Union will be able to exert greater pressure on Senate Democrats in forcing the Senate Democratic Caucus to send this “Compact” back to Governor Jennifer Granholm for her to renegotiate this “Compact” with the Gun Lake Tribe to include:

1. A workplace environment free of second hand smoke;

2. Casino workers to be protected by the same state and federal laws, together with the National Labor Relation Act protecting the right to organize, which protect all other workers--- including auto workers.

In the mean time, I would request that you contact your locals and members and inform them to stay out of the Odawa Casino in Petoskey, Michigan and the Island Casino near Escanaba, Michigan where we are conducting organizing campaigns.

I am sure you are aware of the considerable problems caused by leaders of your union who insisted they had the right to sit and pull slot machine levers all night long at the Odawa/Victories Casino in Petoskey. Hopefully there will be no further repeats of this sad episode. I informed your members that the next time they are caught in this casino their photographs will be taken and placed on the internet for all to see. A leading member of the UAW Retirees was also involved.

I would point out that the UAW has made no attempt, or effort, to organize the Indian owned/operated casinos in Michigan; nor been a voice in defense of the rights of these casino workers. I did put a group of casino workers in touch with the UAW in New York State who were anxious to organize, but I understand the UAW’s effort there is failing miserably.

I was happy to see that your Michigan Legislative Lobbyist, Nadine Nosal, put in a card in opposition to this “Compact” during the hearing before the Michigan Legislature's Regulatory Reform Committee. I trust casino workers can count on your union and the UAW-CAP for continued opposition to this “Compact” as written without the protection of the rights of casino workers as noted above.

I also trust that you will do everything possible to use the UAW’s influence in the Michigan AFL-CIO to get this labor federation on board with us in opposing this “Compact” as written as it is brought before the Michigan Senate.

While the UAW has been hesitant to act in defense of the rights of casino workers, and has not challenged the right of casino workers to work in smoke free environments in the non-Indian casinos, we hope our initiative now underway in the Michigan Legislature will encourage your union to take a second look at this problem of second-hand smoke in the workplace.

You and the present UAW leadership have a track record of talking tough; and then at the time of decision collapsing at the feet of management and politicians like the I-35-W Bridge which used to span the Mighty Mississippi River in Minneapolis; hopefully, our organizing efforts in Michigan and other states will help you over-come this problem presently hobbling your union in negotiations with the “Big Three” and in your organizing drives.

In the class struggle spirit of Phil Raymond, Nadia Barken, Wyndham Mortimer, Coleman Young, Sr., and Brother Bill McKie…

Warmest regards.

Yours in the struggle,

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

Cc: John D. Cherry, Lt. Governor
Mark Shauer, Minority (Democrat) Floor Leader
Tupac Hunter
Buzz Thomas
Glenn Anderson
Gilda Jacobs
John Gleason
Ray Basham

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Gun Lake Tribe: Casino "Compact," second hand smoke & workers' health

Note: Phyllis Davis has been working as the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Tribe's (Gun Lake Band) Health Director for 3 years. Her area of jurisdiction includes Allegan, Kent, Kalamazoo, Barry and Ottawa Counties in the State of Michigan.

Note: Phyllis Davis has refused to respond to this query; I will publish her response if and when it is received.

A copy of this letter has been sent to all Legislators in the Michigan House and will be sent to all thirty-eight members of the Michigan Senate.



-----Original Message-----

From: Alan Maki [mailto:amaki000@centurytel.net]

Sent: Thursday, August 09, 2007 2:25 PM

To: padavis@mbpi.org

Cc: 'Gary Garbarino'; 'Michael Johnston'; gdubovich@usw.org; lgerard@usw.org; editor@allegannews.com; miaflcio@voyager.net; 'Mike Jaros'; rep.bill.hilty@house.mn

Subject: A question concerning second hand smoke...

Ms. Davis;

As the Health and Human Services Director for the Gun Lake Band, do you have a professional opinion if it is good for casino workers to be employed in a working environment where they are constantly exposed to second hand smoke?

Have you made any recommendations on what can be done to protect those who will be employed in the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe) Casino from the harmful health affects of second-hand smoke?

Also, have any Michigan State Legislators, Representatives or Senators, asked you for your professional opinion on this issue? Has anyone from the news media asked you your professional opinion concerning this issue?

I trust you understand my concerns about sending 1,800 casino workers into a working environment which would endanger the health and well-being of so many people and the harm this would pose to so many families.

I believe you have an ethical responsibility to raise any health concerns regarding the conditions under which 1,800 human beings will be employed in the Gun Lake Casino… I would urge you to make your professional views known to members of the Michigan Senate who are yet to vote on this compact.

Unless this matter of second-hand smoke is resolved, our Organizing Committee may have to consider costly and timely litigation along with other measures, in order to prevent this casino from opening in order to protect the health of casino employees.

We have been advised by our attorneys that this could present the courts with an interesting case.

Let me assure you, our Organizing Committee has no interest in preventing a casino operated by the Gun Lake Band. Our one and only concern is for the health, rights, and welfare of those workers who will be employed in this casino… to date, unfortunately, there has been no demonstrated concern on the part of Michigan Legislators or the Gun Lake Band concerning these issues. Nor, would I point out have any of the parties battling over whether there should be a casino demonstrated such concerns.

Thanking you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

58891 County Road 13
Warroad, Minnesota 56763
Phone: 218-386-2432
Cell phone: 651-587-5541
E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net

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Commentary:

On August 8, 2007, for the very first time in the United States, an elected politician--- a woman Republican--- stood in the Michigan House and tried to amend this "Compact" to include making the Gun Lake Casino a smoke-free work environment. Her amendment was overwhelmingly defeated by the House Democratic majority who were joined by the majority of her Republican colleagues. Shame on Michigan's Democratic House Majority backed by the Michigan AFL-CIO and Change to Win; Shame on Michigan Republicans for continuing their service to the tobacco industry and big-business.

Both the Democratic and Republican Parties demonstrated the failure of the two-party system when it comes to meeting the health care requirements of working people for healthy and safe work environments.

Shame on Phyllis Davis for remaining silent on this issue when she could have provided the leadership required to bring, for the first time in the casino industry in the United States, a smoke-free working environment at the Gun Lake Tribe's new casino, which would have established an industry standard for the approximately 400 casinos across the United States employing close to two million casino and hospitality workers--- the majority of whom are young women of child bearing age.

The only two casinos in North America providing a smoke-free environment for casino workers and patrons alike remain Manitoba's two provincially owned and operated casinos in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada... made smoke free by the New Democratic Party (NDP)... Canada's party of labour backed by the Canadian Labour Congress. The tremendous profits generated by these two very popular casinos contribute massive funding to the health care system and public education. The NDP has pointed out being smoke-free has brought in casino patrons from all over North America who flock to these two casinos largely because they are smoke-free thereby generating tremendous profits for the public good; plus, the NDP's Minister of Health has noted the smoke-free environment has saved the health care system millions of dollars as casino workers are free of the health related problems known to be associated with second-hand smoke.

The Michigan State Senate has yet to vote on this Gun Lake Casino "Compact."

Please join with casino workers in telling the Michigan Senate to reject this "Compact" in its present form and send it back to Governor Granholm to renegotiate with the Gun Lake Tribe so that this "Compact" becomes the new standard of the casino industry in the United States which includes the rights of casino workers to be employed in a smoke free work environment with all the protections other workers enjoy under state and federal labor laws.

The time has come for the Michigan AFL-CIO and Change to Win to end their shameful silence, and responsibly accept their obligations to all working people, including casino workers... urge your union leadership to speak up, and speak out loudly and proudly on this very important issue.

Contrary to the claims of those who say the place to win these rights is at the bargaining table... we say the place to win these rights is through the legislative process. Legislators have fiduciary responsibility to see to is that all working people have a safe and healthy working environment free from second hand smoke.

Michigan Governor, Jennifer Granholm--- a labor backed and supported Governor--- has shamefully abdicated her fiduciary responsibility to Michigan workers; the Michigan Senate must now hold her accountable by insisting this "Compact" be renegotiated with the Gun Lake Tribe.

The Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council takes no position on whether or not this particular Gun Lake Tribe's casino operation should be allowed to proceed; this is a question residents of the area should be allowed to determine--- this is what is known as "grassroots democracy." Our concern is that casino workers have a right to work in smoke free, safe and healthy workplaces with full rights under state and federal labor laws, including the right to organize to protect their rights and receive a real living wage for the work they do.

The Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council is the voice of casino workers in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Iowa.

Alan L. Maki
Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council

Letter to Gun Lake Tribal Chair, D.K. Sprague concerning the casino "Compact"

Please note: I have been asking Mr. Sprague to answer these very specific, very simple questions for a long time. Mr. Sprague has not answered a single one of these questions... nor has Governor Granholm or any Michigan Legislator asked any of these questions... apparently the Fertitta Family has "made an an offer no one could refuse."


Mr. Sprague, Tribal Chair--- Gun Lake Band;

When would you like to sit down and negotiate a contract covering all hourly paid casino employees that would include $40,000.00 a year incomes working in a smoke-free environment?

I notice you have people employed working on health issues for your Band; have they informed you of the consequences to workers from second-hand smoke? I assume they agree with the scientific studies provided by the National Heart and Lung Foundation and the American Cancer Society.

I notice the Gun Lake Band has no labor laws; could you explain why not; or, provide me with such Labor Laws?

Also, could you provide me with the list of the 40 organizations who I keep hearing are supporting this casino “Compact?”

I would note that one of the largest unions in Michigan, the United Auto Workers union, has indicated their opposition to this “Compact;” would you happen to know the reason why their lobbyist, Nadine Nosal, registered the UAW’s opposition to this Compact before the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee?

Will your Band or the casino management firm/s be responsible for labor/management relations? I trust you won’t be leaving labor/management relations to the Station Casinos knowing their past record.

I am somewhat miffed as to why your Band would have considered union labor for casino construction but your obvious intent is to keep casino workers from joining a union and engaging in the collective bargaining process. Would you explain your thinking on this?

Also, please provide me with a copy of the contract you have signed with the unions affiliated with the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council.

Also, please inform me who will be responsible for workplace health and safety on the construction site.

Also, please inform me who will be responsible for all aspects of building inspections as the casino is being built.

Will all meats served in the casino restaurant/s be United States Government Department of Agriculture inspected?

It would be helpful if you could respond to everything here prior to members of the Michigan House voting on this Compact tomorrow. I think not only the legislators have a right to have you give specific answers supported with empirical data; but, their constituents expect them to have the answers to the questions I have raised here. Since you were at the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee Hearing and heard most everything being discussed by everyone… I assume you are fully aware these issues and questions were not addressed.

I have chosen not to get into the Fertitta Family history at this time. I think it will be a nice “surprise” when the citizens and voters of Michigan find out who their Governor and Legislators have chosen for business partners. I will just provide a little hint: Watch the movie “Casino.”

Previously I have left messages for you and you have never returned my calls or faxes with answers to these questions.

As a friendly suggestion, you may want to post what I have written here on your nice web site--- along with your answers.

Please let me know when we can meet to go over the terms of a contract for casino workers. I think it is imperative we do this as soon as possible so people know they will be assured of $40,000.00 a year jobs with excellent benefits. We might even discuss Interest Based Bargaining as the chosen method of reaching a collectively bargained agreement. I hear the President of the United Auto Workers at Bradford-White is very enthused about the process.

Without a union contract in place, your patrons may have to walk through a picket line on opening night. Also, workers engaged in a work to rule campaign might not make a grand opening so pleasant.

Sincerely yours,

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,
Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council



58891 County Road 13

Warroad, Minnesota 56763

Phone: 218-386-2432

Cell phone: 651-587-5541

E-mail: amaki000@centurytel.net



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Letter to the Editor; The Gun Lake Casino, Compacts, Workers' Rights; a question answered

In response to the following which I posted on the Working Class Studies list serve which has international participation; I received the question which follows this Letter to the Editor:

Please note: I have published the original newspaper article in its entirety at the very bottom of this post.

Letter to the Editor, Allegan News, submitted for publication;

[Note to the Editor: Attached find your original article dated August 1, 2007. Our Organizing Committee presently has two organizing campaigns going on in Michigan Casinos in Petoskey (Odawa--- formerly Victories Casino) and Escanaba (Island Casino); two in Wisconsin, two in Iowa, and seventeen in Minnesota.] (Also, as a courtesy, I have e-mailed copies of this Letter to the Editor to Hugh Coward, President of the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council and Gary Garbarino, Legislative Assistant to Michigan Floor Leader Representative Tobacman (Democrat) and George Dubovich USW Organizing Coordinator and Leo Gerard, International President, USW, and Nadine Nosal of the United Auto Workers union (UAW)]

Your article regarding the hearing held before the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee concerning the proposed Gun Lake Casino contains very erroneous and unsubstantiated statements; and fails to address other very important concerns and issues which only a renegotiated Compact can resolve.

Supporters of the Compact including Governor Granholm, Michigan Legislators, the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council have not demonstrated one iota of concern for the health and well-being of the 1,800 workers who will be employed at poverty wages in this smoke-filled casino without any rights under Michigan, Federal, or Tribal labor laws.

So much for all the talk about human rights and workers’ rights; aren’t casino workers human beings?

It is no secret; the Gun Lake Band is fronting for the Fertitta Family’s “Station Casinos.”

There are those who want to just continue forward with this Compact completely oblivious to the truth and the injustices it will spawn:

There will be no $40,000.00 a year jobs for casino workers;

Casino workers will work in smoke-filled casinos without any rights under state, federal, or tribal labor laws. Would any member of the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council work under these circumstances? Definitely not; in addition to established labor laws they have a union contract. Workers in this Gun Lake Casino will be employed under terms called “at will hiring, at will firing” with no recourse what-so-ever against unjust terminations. No construction worker would pick up a shovel under such terms of employment.

Casino workers will have no voice at work;

Without rights in the workplace, casino workers have no rights in the communities where they live--- say something your employer doesn’t like (for instance: the minimum wage should be increased to a level commensurate with the calculations of the United States Department of Labor for what is a real living income) at a legislative hearing and you are out the door;

Young women casino workers--- who are in the majority among casino workers; these women of child-bearing age suffer the worst health related problems of second-hand smoke; a problem casino managements have refused to address [For those concerned about fetuses second-hand smoke is a great peril];

Heart, lung, and cancer related health problems associated with second-hand smoke afflict casino workers more than workers in any other industry by a ratio of more than eight to one according to leading experts with the Heart and Lung Foundation and American Cancer Society;

Workers will be fired for attempting to organize a union--- this is the Fertitta Family track record concerning “labor-management relations;” there is nothing to lead us to believe this Gun Lake Casino which will be entrusted to their management team will be any different;

The Fertitta Family operates a string of non-union casinos and has used the most violent and dirty union busting methods to keep their casinos union free--- this is a matter of public record.

So far, not one single Michigan Legislator or media outlet has challenged the proponents of this Gun Lake Casino “Compact” to come forward with documentation supporting the outlandish claim that these jobs will be paying $40,000.00 a year. The only thing they would have to request is a listing of each job and what the job will pay on an hourly basis and what that job will pay for the year.

Since the Gun Lake Band, the Kalamazoo Chamber of Commerce, and the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council have all stated that wages are a primary reason for considering this casino venture, they should be willing to provide the hard empirical data supporting this claim of $40,000.00 a year jobs for casino workers; they have not.

I challenge anyone to show me one single casino in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Iowa paying its employees--- on average--- $40,000.00 a year. Yes, they ALL made similar claims to get their Compacts approved; but, what has happened after these ventures get up and running tells a completely different story of casino workers averaging between $8,000.00 and $12,000.00 a year. Any school child knows you don’t combat poverty by paying employees poverty wages.

Michigan Legislators have allowed the claim of “forty organizations and unions” supporting this Gun Lake Casino to stand without even asking for a list of those endorsements from those making this claim. I have asked for the list from State Representative Barbara Farrah and Hugh Coward, President of he Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, to no avail. Initially they claimed the United Steel Workers union as supporters; this turns out to be false.

Why is it so difficult to get hard empirical data out of the supporters of this project? One can only conclude they are not telling the truth about any of this.

Working through the big-business controlled media like the Grand Rapids Press and other print and broadcast media which stands to make millions of dollars in advertising revenues, it is easy to understand why supporters might be so dishonest in projecting a very distorted scenario.

The racism inherent in this “Compact” is overwhelming as Native American working people who have been the victims of racist hiring practices in other industries, including glaring racial discrimination in the construction industry, are again used as the primary and core source of cheap labor--- forced to work under the most Draconian conditions as stated above.

The dirty and under-handed manner in which this “Compact” has been brought forward calls into question the very basic premise and underpinnings of our democracy as questions are prevented from being asked, discussion is stifled and limited at both the grassroots level and the Legislative level to only those who support this “Compact;” all making a complete mockery of democracy.

“Tribal Sovereignty” is no excuse for systematically continuing to deny casino workers their very basic and fundamental human rights.

President Hugh Crawford claims it is too late to renegotiate the terms of this Compact in light of the glaring injustices I have cited; if this is the case, then I feel sad for our country if our democracy can’t manage to correct such a grave injustice.

Consider this: the racist distribution of small-pox laden blankets with genocidal intent pales in comparison to forcing people to work in smoke-filled casinos at poverty wages without any rights; over two-hundred thousand Native Americans and well over one million casino workers are employed in almost four hundred casinos working under such conditions in our country today.

This Gun Lake Compact should be rejected as written and Governor Granholm should be told to renegotiate this Compact taking into consideration the rights of casino workers to work in a healthy work environment with the exact same rights construction and all other workers in the State of Michigan enjoy under state and federal labor laws.

Thank you for allowing me to clarify what is at issue;

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council



Question from reader:

8/6/07

I may have missed something in the run up here to the Gun Lake casino story,
but reading this recent post was like coming in on the middle of a
conversation at a big noisy party. Is there any coherent story or narrative laying out
and sourcing the things that are put forward here? I thought that every casino
in Michigan (think Nevada) was union, and that no group would dare try to put
in something like that without union wages and labor standards for every worker.

Other questions about casinos are important and need to be asked elsewhere
(especially, the use of the tax revenues from their operations as an indirect
tax on poor and working people, rather than establishing more stable taxes to
support schools and other public services).

Sorry to cut into the conversation in the middle, but it was surprising to
read the pieces that were published above.

George N. Schmidt
Editor, Substance


My response to this question:

Mr. Schmidt;

To answer your very excellent question… and if I do not address your questions adequately I hope you will continue to press me for further explanation.

None of the approximately 400 Native American owned/operated casinos strung out across the United States are unionized… (as, an aside, most of the other casinos are not unionized, either--- however, workers in all the “non-Native” casinos are protected under state and federal labor laws like all other workers; a very big difference I am sure you will agree).

None of the 400 or so Native American owned casinos are actually owned by the various Tribes which are issued licenses to operate under terms of special “Compacts” between the states and federal governments… these casinos, are in fact “fronts,” for the big casino owners and distributors of slot machines and other “investors” who take in the majority of the revenue.

In the case of this proposed Gun Lake Tribal Casino, the management firm will be the Station Casinos; this is a huge casino chain controlled and for all practical purposes--- owned--- primarily by the Fertitta Family. The Fertitta Family is headed up by Frank Fertitta, Jr. and his two sons--- Fertitta has been the “front” for the Kansas City Mob… the organized crime group which makes its money from “skimming” casinos (among other things including illegal gambling [like sports betting, horse racing], money laundering, prostitution, stolen merchandise, loan-sharking, and drug dealing). Fertitta “allows” the casinos to be used for all of these illegal operations--- however, the “skimming” operation is the most lucrative.

“Skimming” is where casino funds are stolen somewhere in the process of “normal” book-keeping operations--- money counting machines are rigged, scales that weigh the coins and tokens are “doctored,” false records are kept (instead of writing in the books $10,000.00 taken in--- $1,000.00 taken in is written down, etc.) If you want to kind of “see” how all of this works watch the movie “Casino” which is a “fictitious” account based upon the real life of Frank Fertitta and the real Kansas City Mob… based upon actual testimony from the government prosecutions in court of these mobsters.

Attempts have been made to organize a few of Fertitta’s non-union Station Casinos without success--- it has been one bloody mess of workers and union organizers being beat up, threatened, intimidated, family members beat up and raped, workers black-listed from working in other casinos, and so on and so forth.

You see, the only way these illegal operations can take place is when casino workers are either “forced,” or coerced, to take part in the illegal operations (none of the big shots want to soil their “clean” hands, right?) or face loss of employment as they make room for others who will be more “cooperative” in these schemes; workers without any rights do what management tells them to do or they lose their jobs.

Don’t think I approach this issue from any kind of moral perspective like the preachers and ministers; I don’t. I do not approach this issue with any kind of “moralistic” angst, but rather from the perspective casinos are part of American culture and society (apparently lots of people enjoy gambling--- again, I don’t know why--- I guess some people like to play golf, others gamble; personally I like to fish and play Scrabble); but, as long as these very profitable casinos are going to exist, casino workers have the right to dignity and to have their human rights upheld--- by law like all other workers; paid real living wages, get vacations, benefits like health care and child care and so on.

The “unique” aspect of “Indian gaming,” involves the issue of “tribal sovereignty.” The mobsters found these “sovereign” Indian lands a haven for the casinos and associated illegal activities--- all of which are very profitable… some people dub this: casino capitalism.

What we are trying to do with this specific “Compact,” for the first time in the country, is force the Michigan government to tell the Gun Lake Band, “We are not approving this ‘Compact’ unless the same state and federal labor laws covering all other workers is extended to casino workers through the appropriate language in this ‘Compact’.”

It is the issue of “sovereignty” which makes this such a “special” and “unique” issue. The casino operators invoke “sovereignty” in trying to get out from under facing workers trying to organize unions by saying, “This is ‘sovereign’ Indian land… we do not have to obey any state or federal labor laws or the National Labor Relations Act.” In fact, the “sovereign” Indian Nations have no labor laws of their own; nor do they abide by international labor codes, nor any human rights standards as those clearly articulated in the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

There is no other “sovereign” nation in the world where corporations and employers have the unfettered, unrestricted right to exploit workers under such harsh and Draconian conditions. Check it out, there are none.

I will close by pointing this out--- this casino money “clean and dirty” has had an enormous impact on these Indian Reservations and the people who have been forced to live in such deplorable conditions that are in fact part of the continuing and apparently never ending campaign of racism and genocide which is part and parcel of official United States government policy.

We always hear from the promoters of these casinos that their only concern is operating a business in order to eliminate all the dirty influences of this institutionalized campaign of hate, racism and genocide--- how all this money is needed to alleviate poverty, hunger, poor or no health care, illiteracy, dilapidated housing, child, spousal/partner, and substance abuse, pay for keeping Native American traditions, culture, and languages alive--- all very legitimate problems requiring funding to alleviate, eliminate, and promote.

Anyone with the least little bit of inquisitiveness and common sense who has ever walked into any one of these 400 or so casino operations strung out across our country can readily see the obvious method of making money--- the slot machines and table games (never mind the illegal operations) --- has to ask the question: Why is there any problem of poverty at all on any Indian Reservation in this country with this kind of money being made hand over fist?

The obvious answer is that all this money--- with the exception of token amounts to make it appear there is financial gain to be had through the casino industry (in gambling there always has to be your token “winner” in order to lure in the rest of the suckers)--- doesn’t stay in any of these communities. Just like the profits created by other working people flow to the top, to the Wall Street coupon clippers, etc. (I would point out, that many of these casino ventures have been very cleverly integrated into the capitalist mainstream of Wall Street--- Station Casinos are part of Wall Street now, giving organized crime great “legitimacy;” if you can consider exploitation of working people “legitimate.”

Native American workers, who have been, by and large, systematically prevented from getting employment in most industries due to racist hiring practices directly aimed at Native American workers, are now being used as the source and core of a cheap labor pool for the casino industry, which like any industry require workers.

Forget about inquisitiveness, intelligence, and common sense--- any school child understands poverty can not be eliminated as long as poverty wages are being paid to workers and a very rigid, domineering, and Draconian method of management is in place, by intent--- and methodically designed through “Compacts” to prevent and thwart any attempt on the part of casino workers to organize to protect their rights through the collective bargaining process.

To this point whenever we have brought up to the Tribal Councils and state and public officials this problem, they have wrung their hands and said, “We are so sorry, we overlooked this aspect of workers rights in these “Compacts.” This is all water under the bridge, it is a done deal. Nothing we can do now.” Well, now casino workers are saying, “Hey Michigan legislators and Governor Granholm, before you approve this ‘Compact’ what about our rights?”

Presently in the United States over two-hundred thousand Native American working people are stuck in this quagmire created by a maze of federal, state, and tribal governments (by the way, these tribal governments are racist institutions in and of themselves specifically designed to oppress Native Americans by suppressing their right of participation in the political process in a way that prohibits them from taking action to make their lives better) among almost two million workers in all, many young women, many others people of color also victims of racist oppression; and many undocumented workers from all over the world (imagine if you will the pressures on a human being living in a foreign country and having to have your life complicated by the fact that you are not even working side by side with other workers who enjoy basic human rights under state and federal labor laws and what a money-grubbing, greedy management can coerce you to do)--- some two million workers in all are employed in these casino operations here in the United States of America… and not one single state or federal elected official from the Democratic, Republican, or even the Green Party has questioned, let alone objected to any of this! Not one.

Right now in the State of Michigan headed up by what has been widely described as a “pro-labor” (for sure organized labor backed) governor, Jennifer Granholm and a Democratic Party dominated House, not one of these elected politicians has had the plain old common decency to question any of this while this Gun Lake tribal “Compact” has been discussed widely in public and in Committee, and now is probably coming for a vote this Wednesday in the Michigan House.

Not one single Michigan newspaper, television or radio station has brought forward any of these concerns of worker rights even though every single one of these media outlets, from the smallest community newspaper to the largest of the commercial dailies, has covered this “Compact;” from the point of view that what has been negotiated is a bigger take for the State of Michigan from the profits of this casino operation. In fact, this makes the State of Michigan a direct Party to this most disgraceful and shameful method of exploiting casino workers.

By the way, if real “sovereignty” actually existed, why would such “Compacts” even be required? And, why would a state government regulate slot machine compliance; but not be concerned about the living, breathing human beings who are being forced to work in these casinos while the state has negotiated for a “bigger slice of the pie?”

I hope this answers your questions; if not ask away.

I do hope you will make your concerns about this known to Michigan Legislators before Wednesday… our activities have forced the Michigan legislators to repeatedly postpone their vote on this for many months now… the Governor has twisted many arms promising legislators many things in return for supporting this “Compact.” The Fertitta Family machine has greased many palms in Michigan… we are talking about an area just outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan just waiting to be tapped into without any other competition from any other casinos.

By the way, the Fertitta Family is backing Hillary Clinton big time with well documented campaign contributions… and, even contributing to Rudy Giuliani’s campaign in order to protect their interests no matter which way the election goes. We are talking big, big, money in these casino operations… casino workers, like all other workers, create the wealth of this industry and get a life of oppression and poverty in return.

Again, if you are still unclear concerning the issue (or if you have any disagreements) please feel free to ask or state your opinions.

Yours in the struggle,

Alan L. Maki

Director of Organizing,

Midwest Casino Workers Organizing Council



This was sent to the following:

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House committee passed tribe’s casino Class III compact

By Bill Brown
Editor, Allegan News
Wednesday, August 1, 2007 10:23 AM EDT

LANSING, Michigan—A committee in the Michigan House of Representatives approved the Class III gaming compact with the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians July 24.

The Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee passed the resolution to approve the Gun Lake Casino Class III gaming compact with a 6-0 vote following more than an hour of testimony.

The full House could vote on the matter soon.

“Every federally recognized tribe in Michigan besides my Tribe has a signed and duly approved gaming compact. We are not asking for any more, or any less, than what every other tribe has. We simply ask for fair treatment,” said Gun Lake tribal chairman D.K. Sprague.

During the hearing before the committee, testimony was given by those who represented the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, West Michigan Building Trades, the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Michigan, the Allegan County Sheriff Department, Wayland Township, the City of Wayland, and the Friends of Gun Lake Indians.

Sen. Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck, and Mark Jansen, R-Grand Rapids, spoke out against the compact. According to a press release from the Gun Lake tribe, Birkholz sat side-by-side with Jansen and explained that “she opposed the compact, in part, due to her fears that it will provide economic benefits to Allegan County at the expense of downtown Grand Rapids.”

Birkholz represents all of Allegan County, including the Bradley-area location of the proposed tribal casino.

Also, according to the tribe, Jansen spoke about his fears that “the casino will negatively impact people in Allegan County who are ‘already addicted’ to harmful behaviors.” He went on to say that “Allegan County is known as the ‘meth’ capital of Michigan.”

Tribal leaders who reside in Allegan County said they took offense to the senators’ comments.

“I don’t think it’s funny to stereotype our county in that way. We want Allegan County to be known for good employment opportunities and a thriving regional economy,” said John Shagonaby, Gun Lake tribal vice chairman.

According to the tribe, Wayland Township supervisor Roger VanVolkinburg spoke in support of the compact directly following both senators’ testimony. The Township is the host municipality of the proposed Gun Lake Casino.

“We need to get back on track here,” said VanVolkinburg. “This is not a gaming issue. We don’t make those choices, but we do advocate for a way to get needed revenues from this facility, which is why I am here to ask for your support for the compact.”

Mr. VanVolkinburg informed the committee that the tribe currently pays $30,000 in annual property taxes, but after the casino is open it will pay $3 million to local governments under the 2-percent local revenue sharing provision of the compact.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office was represented by her deputy legal counsel on Native American Affairs, John Wernet. According to the tribe, he explained why the Gun Lake Casino compact is a substantial improvement over previous compacts.

He told the committee that the state revenue share of 8 percent to 12 percent in exchange for a limited nine-county exclusivity zone was the most notable improvement.

Larry Orlowski, executive director of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association of Michigan spoke in favor of the gaming compact. He was joined by Frank Baker, an officer who attended in support of the compact on behalf of Allegan County Sheriff Blaine Koops.

“Our organization investigated tribal casinos in Michigan and found no increase in violent crimes, prostitution or narcotics violations,” Orlowski said. “We did find that 2-percent local revenue sharing payments are adequately funding the needs of local law enforcement in tribal casino areas.”

Rep. Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell, questioned the viability of the revenue sharing in a statement Monday, July 30.

“Of the 23 Native American-run casinos in the state, only three of them still contribute to the state’s economy, and even those three are suing the state to stop revenue sharing,” Sheen said. “Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, the 2-percent revenue sharing from those three casinos does not go directly to local municipalities—instead, a board composed of three tribe members and three local government members are responsible for its distribution to applicants.”

Sheen disagreed with the Deputy Sheriff’s Association, saying casinos will attract crime that will add strain to local law enforcement.

“I will vote no on House Resolution 158, the measure to establish a gaming compact between the Gun Lake Tribe and the State of Michigan and encourage my legislative colleagues to do the same.”

Sheen claimed that less than 10 percent of Allegan County’s townships, cities and villages have expressed support for the Gun Lake Casino.

Sheen said, “Michigan residents are under the misguided impression that a casino will generate significant additional revenue for the state, as well as jobs and tourism.”

According to the tribe, the proposed casino will create 1,800 direct jobs with a total average annual compensation package of $40,000; 3,100 indirect jobs; and more than $20 million per year in direct purchases of goods and services from west Michigan businesses.

Thank you Tim Pawlenty, James Oberstar, Bernie Lieder, Ron Erhardt & Steve Murphy for keeping our highways and bridges safe...

"I'm glad to get away from the 35 Bridge. Tim, you and Norm have been a great help to me. Our Democratic opposition has been collapsing just like that Bridge."








































A special thank you to George Bush who is racking up a trillion dollar bill in Iraq and began the invasion to occupy the country with a glorious campaign of "Shock and Awe" which included bombing many bridges and roads which the American taxpayers now have to pay to rebuild as Minnesotans prepare for a continued robbery at the pumps in order to rebuild the 35 Bridge and repair over 1,600 more bridges that are in the same shape or worse than the 35 Bridge.

Our infrastructure is failing because we have a failed economic and political system that continues to place corporate profits before human needs.

To compound the problem these same politicians tell us we need to spend more money in order to have safe roads and bridges... the fact of the matter is--- more than enough money has been appropriated for highway and bridge maintenance, construction, renovations, repairs, and replacement.

We need to ask where the money is going The answer lies in looking at the companies which are bank-rolling these politicians... next to the military-financial-industrial complex the transportation industry composed of contractors and construction firms make huge profits feeding at the public trough... we are told this is the way the "free market" works.

Bridges in Iraq get bombed... our bridges collapse... the Wall Street coupon clippers profit from it all... politicians are the recipients of stuffed unmarked envelopes... working people die.

It is no coincidence we have a government that would not blink an eye or give a second thought to bombing bridges in Iraq as our own bridges collapse and then have the unmitigated gall to turn around, smile into the television cameras and tell us we have to cough up more money for a new bridge through an increase in the gas tax.

Maybe it is time to consider making some real changes.

A question to ponder:

Is this collapse of the 35 Bridge an indication that our entire capitalist economic system along with the corrupt political structure it has spun into a web that traps us all like those trapped under the rubble of the 35 Bridge is what really needs to be replaced?

My personal opinion is that this capitalist system is rotting away like the steel girders and beams of the 35 Bridge; which, predictably, finally collapsed into the turbulent waters of the Mighty Mississippi claiming lives and creating misery for families, friends, communities, and our State... a Bridge we relied on to safely carry us across the Mighty Mississippi River. We relied on the very same people for the safety of the 35 Bridge who continue to tell us this is the best system in the world... we better check things out for ourselves, don't you think?

Something to ponder and think about around the kitchen table.


Photo below:

R.T. placing a call to Democratic United States Congressman Jim Oberstar... "Jim, about that sign on south bound 35 coming down from Duluth... it says, 'Thanks Jim Oberstar for providing Minnesotans with safe bridges and highways,' do ya think you should take it down before the next election?"



Oberstar responded... "You betcha Mr. Mayor; I'll have Peter Makowski get right on it after I finish counting the money a guy in a white hard hat who flew into Washington for an unexpected chit chat left here on my desk in an unmarked envelope. He told me we have a little problem with a Bridge."

Congressman James Oberstar hard at work, personally over-seeing the safety of our roads and bridges under construction... here Congresman Oberstar is asking for a small favor: "Say, fellas, would you mind checking out the Blatnik Bridge in Duluth before you do any more work here?"




"Gees, Jim... is there a problem?"



[Don't forget to click on the pictures protruding to the right that are partially hidden like the problems were with the 35 Bridge.]