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Gov. Schwarzenegger and Palm Springs tribe casino deal under fire

Union leaders denounced Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Palm Springs tribe casino deal. This deal struck by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Gov. Schwarzenegger would allow them to have an increase of slot games from two thousand to five thousand machines.

The deal also would allow the Indian tribe to built another casino in the Palm Spring area. In return, the state would receive two billion dollars in casino revenues in a twenty three year contract.

If the deal is approved, the five thousand slot games will be bigger than many Las Vegas casinos.

Union leaders are raising doubts on the provision that will reverse the tribal labor agreements Schwarzenegger had entered in 2004 that would make it harder for the casino workers to have unions.

The provision will revert to the compact deal in 1999 that was signed by the former Governor Gray Davis. The 1999 pact was blamed for poor salaries and forcinging workers to rely on medical and health care state programs.

Spokesperson Darrel Ng, of the governor's office, had defended the agreement. According to Ng the negotiated pact offers labor protections.

The outcome whether the bill will be signed by the legislature is still hanging.