A casino opponent said the unions are not thinking about the longterm consequences of casinos.
The developers of two proposed casinos in Western Massachusetts have reached agreements to guarantee the use of unionized workers at their projects.
The Mohegan Sun on Friday announced it has signed agreements with the Pioneer Valley Building Trades Council of Springfield and Carpenters Local 108 of the New England Council of Carpenters in Springfield to help build its proposed casino in Palmer.
On Monday, leaders of Paper City Development have scheduled an event in Holyoke to sign similar agreements with the same two unions to help construct its proposed casino in Holyoke, said Anthony L. Cignoli, a partner with Paper City.
Mitchell EtessMitchell G. Etess , chief executive officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, said the agreements with the unions mark an important milestone.
Cignoli said it is good for the unions to have both proposed casinos committed to using organized labor and building the projects "the right way."
Paper City is proposing a casino for the Wyckoff County Club, which straddles Interstate 91. The Mohegan Sun's proposed casino would be built off Exit 8 of the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Anthony CignoliThomas Larkin of Bedford, president of United to Stop Slots in Massachusetts, said he can understand how labor unions could be easily persuaded to support casinos during a difficult economy.
Larkin said the unions are not thinking about the long-term consequence of casinos. "The gambling industry comes into a state and basically courts labor," Larkin said. "They court them with money."
Gov. Deval L. Patrick, House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray are attempting to agree on a new casino bill, after Patrick rejected legislation that reached his desk last year. DeLeo has said he would like to approve a casino bill next month.