Norwich Bulletin, by Erica Jacobson, 09/28/07

The UAW at Foxwoods formally asked the National Labor Relations Board on Friday to represent a group of dealers from Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Region 9A of the union filed a petition on behalf of the 3,000 dealers who work at the Mashantucket Pequot-owned and operated casino and have sought to organized based on what they describe as low starting wages, false raises and slashed health benefits. Robert Madore, region director for the UAW, said a "supermajority" of those dealers had signed union cards but would not give specific percentages.

"We are ready to go to the election process," he said. "Let's get it on.”

A message left seeking comment from Foxwoods officials was not immediately returned.

More than two dozen dealers, some in their work uniforms, attended the announcement at union offices in downtown Norwich.

Chris Messinger, a 15-year Foxwoods employee who drives from Holyoke, Mass., to his job as a dealer, said he's ready for the process to move forward and to have a voice in his workplace.

"We can finally sit down and bargain," he said, "instead of having to beg.”