Tribal Forum Affected By Unions

The “Prez on the Rez” forum that many tribal leaders were planning on attending is having some problems due to disputes with labor unions. The Democratic presidential forum is a chance for the Democratic candidates to speak in front of more than 2,500 tribal leaders from more than 500 reservations nationwide.

It is truly an event not to be missed for any presidential hopeful, yet only two of them have committed to coming. Only New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Mike Gravel have confirmed that they will be there, with all of the others not having said one way or the other if they will attend.

The forum is being opposed by the labor unions because of the attempts by the tribes to increase their slot machines and gaming expansion. The unions say it will be harder for them to organize their casino employees, and that they don’t want any of the Democrats attending.

The event is scheduled for August 23rd, yet Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama and former Sen. John Edwards have not confirmed that they will be in attendance. Kalyn Free, head of the group sponsoring the forum, said that she has met with union officials, even offering for them to co-sponsor it, but that it has not seemingly made a difference.

The tribes say that they will wait and see who attends, and who is swayed by the labor unions. They say that those who attend will have shown that they care about the tribes, and those that don’t - won’t get their support come election time.




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