The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation is cutting about 20 percent of its government work force through buyouts and a small number of layoffs, authorities said.
About 170 employees were to lose their jobs May 30. About 90 percent took a buyout package and 10 percent were laid off, The Day of New London reported.
Tribal General Counsel Jackson T. King Jr. called the process “very difficult,” adding that it includes shifting some duties of other workers and consolidating or eliminating some departments.
Tribe Owns Casino
The tribe owns and operates Foxwoods Resorts Casino. The departures trim the tribal government’s work force by about 20 percent, and were part of a larger effort to cut $40 million from its budget as casino revenues have dipped.
“Some of our friends have chosen to leave, and for tribal members, it’s their relatives,” King said of the job reductions. “It’s difficult, but sometimes you’ve got to bite the bullet.”
King has said Foxwoods generates about 99 percent of the tribe’s government funding, but the casino has weathered months of reduced revenue because of increased competition in neighboring states and an uncertain economy.
At least one-third of the tribe’s 800 to 900 members filed a petition in March seeking input on how the tribe reduced its government budget.
Tribal council meetings are closed to all but the governing members.
Injunction Denied
After a preliminary hearing May 22, a continuation was granted until last week to give members more time to present their case. However, a judge rejected their request for an injunction that could have delayed or prevented the cuts.
The buyout option was first announced in late March and includes six months of compensation and benefits and one week’s salary per year worked, up to 10 years.
The employees who were laid off get a lesser severance package, spokespeople said. Employees who are also tribal members have their own buyout deal.