Casino Labor Union vs Indian Battle in California Gains Steam

Labor has pushed Democratic allies to vote no on proposed slots expansions, and both sides are lobbying diligently to draw party leaders to their side of the fray.

The rift between organized labor and Indian gaming concerns in California, as previously reported on Online Casino Advisory, is getting uglier, and the state Democratic Party is being forced to choose between two groups generally viewed as loyal constituents.

Labor unions, in attempts to win broad concessions from the collective bargaining agreement controlling gaming industry workers, have taken to portraying the Indian operators of the casinos as essentially modern-day robber barons, an odd political outlook considering Native Americans are one of the poorest groups in the country.

In 2000 the U.S. Census identified over 25% of Indians as living below the poverty line.

Labor has pushed Democratic allies to vote no on proposed slots expansions, and both sides are lobbying diligently to draw party leaders to their side of the fray. 

While neither openly threatened repercussions, the side that loses Party support can be expected to be less energetic in future Party fundraising and voter turnout.

Governor Schwarzenegger and the state Legislature, seeking much-needed revenue, have already approved the expansion deals, but opponents forced referendums seeking to cancel the agreements onto the February ballot.