And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: Employees of Labor Union File Suit Against Security Guards At San Manuel Indian Casino; Follows Violent Attack On Union Organizer (Last updated 1:45 PM ET February 24) SAN FRANCISCO (BUSINESS WIRE) - Employees of The Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (HERE) of the AFL-CIO today filed suit in the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, against approximately 30 security guards who battered Reginald Turner, an organizer for the union, at the San Manuel Indian Casino. "In any other situation, we would be suing the employer. All other employers are under a duty to train and supervise their employees. But here, because of the tribe's sovereign immunity, we have been forced to sue the security guards who are not tribal members," said Jack Gribbon, California political director for HERE. The suit charges each of the 30 security guards with assault and battery, false imprisonment, and violation of civil rights. As a result of Turner's position as a union organizer, the defendants interfered with his rights to be free from violence or intimidation by threat of violence because of their position in a labor dispute. The lawsuit also states that the guards took the actions above because of Turner's known position against Proposition 5. "The case involves a union organizer whose rights were unfairly violated," said Elizabeth Lawrence, an attorney for HERE. "As it stands now, each tribe is a separate government that may establish its own rules for dealing with labor disputes. The attack on Reginald Turner clearly demonstrates the need to protect labor organizers and workers on Indian reservations." On February 10, Turner, 32, visited the San Manuel Indian Casino to speak to employees about their rights as protected under law. While standing outside the employee entrance, Turner was approached by approximately 30 security guards, who proceeded to bind his arms with four sets of handcuffs. The guards directed pepper spray at Turner's face after his arms were bound. "This case is a clear and severe example of the need for organizing rights to be included as a provision in compacts. Tribes should not be able to conduct this type of behavior with no recourse for a union or for the casino employees," Gribbon said. The labor union hopes this case signals to the governor that workers at Indian casinos have basic employment rights that should be protected in compacts. HERE considers the gaming industry as part of its core constituency and hopes to organize 15,000 workers at 40 Indian casinos in California. "When employees witness this type of attack going on outside an employee entrance, it has a chilling effect on the effort to organize workers," Gribbon said. "Employees should have the right to join a union to ensure fair bargaining, and employers should have the obligation to allow their workers this right whether it is on or off an Indian reservation." The suit also names Steve Guzman, a union organizer with HERE, as a plaintiff in the case. Guzman witnessed the attack and was restrained and did not incur any injuries. Note to Editors: A copy of the suit (Reginald Turner, Steve Guzman v. Does One Through Thirty) filed by HERE is available upon request. http://nt.excite.com/news/bw/990224/ca-here-intl-union &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
