Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2017

Bill 115 s 63, also known as the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2017, is a piece of legislation that aims to clarify the relationship between tribal governments and their employees. The bill seeks to affirm the sovereignty of tribal governments by exempting them from the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Under the NLRA, most private sector employees have the right to form and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and strike. However, tribal governments have argued that these provisions infringe on their sovereignty and ability to govern their own affairs.

The Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2017 would exempt tribal governments from the NLRA, allowing them to set their own labor laws and regulations for their employees. Proponents of the bill argue that this would respect tribal sovereignty and allow tribal governments to make decisions that are in the best interest of their communities. Opponents of the bill, on the other hand, argue that it would strip tribal employees of important labor rights and protections. They argue that tribal governments should be held to the same standards as other employers and that exempting them from the NLRA could lead to abuses of power. Overall, the Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2017 is a controversial piece of legislation that raises important questions about the balance between tribal sovereignty and labor rights. It is currently being debated in Congress, and its outcome remains uncertain.