California tribe loses legal battle
13 Jun 2007
CALIFORNIA -- As reported by the California Press-Enterprise: "A federal appeals court has refused to revisit a decision by a three-judge panel involving the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians that could have broad implications for tribal sovereignty and labor relations.
"...If the ruling stands, it could force tribes to allow union organizers and picketing on their reservations -- long considered sovereign land not under federal oversight.
"...While a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia agreed that tribal sovereignty should be preserved, it ruled in February that the National Labor Relations Board should have jurisdiction over tribal casinos because workers at the casinos are not necessarily members of a tribe..."