Posted on 10/30/2014 11:58:21 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
KENOSHA – The issue of the Kenosha Casino is a hot-button issue in the 2014 race for Wisconsin Governor as Scott Walker (R-Wauwatosa) is yet to make a decision on whether he would approve the casino. However, one union that has been actively campaigning against Scott Walker in Kenosha entered into an agreement with the Menominee Indian Nation.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Working Families Advocacy Project, an arm of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, has been active in the State of Wisconsin trying to turn out the vote in the Racine and Kenosha Areas. On September 25th, they first registered with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board.
More: Indian Tribes Donate $115,702 to Wisconsin’s Political Parties Since 2012
According to campaign finance records obtained from the GAB, the union raised and spent $170,495.74 during the pre-election reporting period from September 9th to October 20th which was the end of the pre-election reporting period. The $170,495.74 received was designated as an un-itemized contribution and does not disclose the exact source of the money. During the reporting period, the union spent $162,698.40 for online advertising and $41,346.53 to UFCW Local 1473 based in Milwaukee for providing campaign workers.
UFCW Local 1444 entered into an memorandum of understanding agreement with the Menominee Nation back in 2004 to allow casino workers to unionize. The agreement was set-up in which if more than fifty percent plus one of the workers signs up for union representation that the union would be certified. The agreement is set-up as a binding agreement and remains in effect to this date even if the casino project is approved.
More: How Indian Tribes Influence Wisconsin’s Members of Congress
Back in September, Brian Nemoir of Enough Already Wisconsin sounded the alarm on the card-check provision in the 2004 agreement between the Menominee Nation and the UFCW. He said: “In an effort to garner support for their off-reservation Kenosha Casino, the Menominee Tribe bowed to union desires by agreeing to accept “card check” the easiest method allowing unionization.” He also said: “Does the state need to take a step backwards, opening the door to forced unionization?”
In 2007, the UFCW was active with UNITE HERE! and AFSCME in stopping a bill that would require Legislative approval of a Kenosha Casino project. They blasted Assembly Bill 205, requiring such approval, that: “This legislation would establish another road block in the efforts by the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin to build a casino in Kenosha. The Menominee have been working for over 5 years to get all the local, state, and federal approvals to build a casino. They are getting near the end of that process and to set up a new roadblock now would be an insult to the Tribe, one of Wisconsin’s poorest.”
The unions touted their union agreement with the tribe back in 2007 by saying that: “The Menominee casino would be one of the largest in the country and would employ over 3,000 people. These jobs are needed in the area and would be good-paying, with solid benefits. We know that because the Menominee have signed an agreement with our three unions recognizing the right of the employees to form a union. No other Indian tribe in the Midwest has agreed to such a provision. Federal law does not require them to do that!”
A spokeswoman for the UFCW Local 1473 said that their local is not tied to the memorandum of understanding agreement despite they have provided campaign staff for the union’s national political arm. Wisconsin Election Watch contacted UAW Local 72, but they did not respond to our message seeking comment.
Michael Beightol, Spokesman for the Menominee Nation, was contacted for this story but declined our request for comment.
Indian tribal money influencing gubenatorial election
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
SEIU
Whatever we are allowed to call ACORN these days.
Imagine that, eh?
So proud to live, so proud to die.
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