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Union protesters outside Foxwood's MGM Grand: Photo by Harriet JonesWorkers at Foxwoods Resort Casino are protesting a decision to separate out dealers’ tips from the new MGM Grand facility.

Dealers who voted to affiliate with the United Auto Workers Union held a rally outside Foxwoods’ new MGM Grand Sunday calling on the casino’s owners, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe to recognize their right to organize under federal labor laws.  The gathering was addressed by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

"I can respect the principles of sovereignty, and I wish everyone well who is providing jobs and additional income to the state of Connecticut, but no-one, no-one, is above the law."

Dealers are heavily dependent on tips to supplement their basic pay, and management say tips, or toke from tables at the MGM Grand will not be shared with dealers at Foxwoods’ other casinos.  Blackjack dealer Mary Johnson says that could mean a 20 percent reduction in pay.

"They have 53 tables over there, the games are the basic games, blackjack, craps, roulette, those are the higher tipping games, so it’s going to draw a pool of players from, the higher rollers probably going to the MGM."

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe says the decision to separate the toke was taken by the dealers at the MGM Grand.  The tribe is continuing a legal fight against a ballot last fall in which a majority of dealers voted to affiliate with the UAW.