Tribe OKs union pact for casino
Tuesday, December 6, 2005 6:14 AM PST
By Sally Ousley
Printable version
E-mail this articleVANCOUVER -- The Cowlitz Indian Tribe signed an agreement Monday with a local union for construction work on its casino resort near La Center. Before any work can begin, however, the casino still must receive final approval from the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The agreement with the Columbia-Pacific Building and Construction Trades Council guarantees the workers who build the Cowlitz Casino Resort will be paid a family wage and receive benefits, including health care, according to tribal spokesman Dave Barnett.
"This means that when we build the casino resort, we will use union labor," Barnett said. "It's important because it ensures the project will be built with the best workforce in the United States and it means these workers will get health benefits for their entire families. It really has a trickle-down effect," he said.
Tribal chairman John Barnett said the tribe is "proud to be able to pay fair wages to the workers."
"This agreement shows that we deal fairly with the community, and that we will pay a good day's wage for a good day's work," he said. "The Cowlitz Tribe wants to achieve economic self-sufficiency while at the same time providing jobs and treating our workers fairly."
Construction of the casino resort which would be done in phases, is expected to create 4,011 jobs with an average annual wage of $46,200, Dave Barnett said.
"Job creation is one of the most important issues in this area right now, and the lack of health care for people working full-time jobs is a tragedy," said John Mohlis, president of the building council. " With this agreement, the Cowlitz Tribe makes it clear that they will treat their workers with dignity and pay fair wages and benefits."
The tribe currently is waiting for a federal environmental review and state approval for the proposed casino that is expected to be released for public comment in the next couple of months.
The proposed $400 million casino resort project would be located on 152 acres west of Exit 16 off Interstate 5 near La Center. The project includes a casino, restaurant and retails shops, convention and entertainment centers, 250-room hotel, tribal cultural center, parking garage and an RV park.
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