Tuesday, July 22, 2008

PECHANGA Casino Announces LAYOFFS 400 employees kicked to the curb UPDATED

UPDATE: The comment section is filling up at this news site it's a good opportunity to be heard.
UPDATE: KCAL 9 has the story on it's website: LINK Amy Linnear speaks for PDC & Pechanga. KNBC has the story and a comment section at this LINK

This time, it's not tribal members that are being unconstitutionally ousted. Pechanga has announced that they will lay off 400 employees. Thanks to John Cornsilk for linking us.

The economy was blamed for the near 9 percent trim on its workforce.“This has been the most difficult decision we have had to make since beginning operations,’’ Amy Minniear, president of the Pechanga Development Corp., said in a statement.“For months we have resisted the pressure to lay team members off,’’ Minniear said. “But because of the prolonged economic downturn, we must downsize in order to adjust to the current market conditions and position ourselves for success once the economy recovers.”The definite number of job cuts has not yet been determined, nor has the job type. Minniear noted that a comprehensive severance package, including outplacement services, would be developed. Amy, not just the economy, the word of what the TRIBE has done to its people is spreading. Temecula is just not into the casino because of it.

People of California, Pechanga told us that they would help balance the budget IF we gave them more machines. They TOLD us that the money would come rolling in. Yet, now, we have the first layoffs from Pechanga, in a "bad market"? Did we not tell you that Pechanga would have to have all machines available running 24/7 to generate the money they claimed?

Is it a bad economy, or the bad publicity over Pechanga's actions in violating the civil rights of 25% of their tribal membership? Is it the fact that Pechanga spent $50 MILLION more than the other big 3 tribes trying to overcome the stench of their tribal massacre? And, was it their closure of their popular nightclubs due to thuggish behavior?

Stay away from Pechanga! Make those who were greedy, suffer from their own evil doing.

Would I still want to be a member of Pechanga? YOU'RE DAMN right I would! I was a member when there was only SAND, so I'd take a restoration of my membership when there is only sand again.
Teetilawuncha had the story earlier today. Pechanga.net has it already buried behind some stories published earlier in the day. Paulina Hunters Blog has it

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bet the local schools are wondering: Will we still get our $25,000?

With no concerns over the laid off workers that have given their heart to Pechanga.

They took the money from the blood of the massacred people of Pechanga, what's a few hundred employees?

Anonymous said...

Job cuts? what? How was this supposed to happen? This is outragous! California doesnt get any money now. we have to pay unemployment for all these layoffs....

Anonymous said...

Many are sad because they think their per capita will go down from $30,000 per month. Too bad about those employees. C ya.

Anonymous said...

Who will the Corrupted Pechanga People target NEXT for disenrollment?

Anonymous said...

The Cherokee Freedmen stand with the Pechanga Disenrolled. This is what happens to tribes that treat their people so shabbily.

Anonymous said...

Is this retribution for building a golf course on the bodies of our ancestors? For lying to Congress? For cheating its members? For keeping out rightful members from their place in the sun via moratorium? For banishing the son of a tribal member? For keeping a thief at the casino? For taking the word of a child molestor? For violating civil rights of its people? For trying to keep the people of CA from voting on initiatives? For giving Cruz Bustamante so much money? For trying to pull the "bingo slots aren't slots" scam? For charging $4 to use the ATM?

Anonymous said...

Instant Karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right in the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon your gonna be dead

Anonymous said...

Outplacement services, I may get a job at Pala I heard they are still busy.

OPechanga said...

How much will outplacement help the dealers they just laid off?

Is it worth it to drive another 30 miles for a job?

What was the typical dealer making per hour? And did the tips improve after Larry Miranda got caught jacking them from employees?

Creeper said...

Pechanga Tribal Board , Disenrollment Committee and Dishonorable Mark Macarro-Tribal Chair now hear this...it is not only the economy stupid...I was at a major hospital last week and one of the nurses ask if it is true what they hear about the Pechanga Tribe kicking members out and not giving them health benefits, insurance, tribal privileges etc...I explained to the nurses staff what went down over there the civil and criminal rights violations, the mostly Non-Pechanga people taking over this tribe. Well, by the time i left the Hospital, a lot more people knew the true story{ not Pechanga's way of telling it} so Pechanga will lose more money from that crowd. When you think of it, everyday people don't have any idea about the corruption taking place at Pechanga,Jamul,Redding,Table Mountain,Enterprise,Chukchansi of the Picayune Racheria,Mooretown and so many more. So- yes talk to people outside the Tribe and tell the the ugly truth. As i said PECHANGA ITS NOT JUST THE ECONOMY STUPID.

Creeper said...

Maybe the people that are laid off at Pechanga Casino should go over to Pala Casino, i haven't heard of anyone stealing money from hard working employees there. Why would anyone take a chance to get ripped off by a Tribal worker. They have all the rights. Has Larry Miranda been proscecuted yet- will he ever be?

Anonymous said...

Typical greed...instead of cutting the per capita (which at $30,000 is still $42 million a month)..they cut workers...and the service will be even worse at Pechanga than it already is...good job "little evil"...mm

Rob said...

There's no evidence that it's anything but the economy, stupid.

You've shown yourself to be a rabid foe of anything Pechanga does, "Original." Therefore, why would the tribe take you back? I'd say you've burned your bridges on that score and you have only yourself to blame.

FYI, tribal membership is a political decision, not a biological one. Even if you're related by blood, the tribe has the right to expel you for political reasons. For instance, your repeated attempts to discredit or overthrow the democratically elected tribal government.

Incidentally, Victor Rocha posted all the negative stories about Pechanga yesterday. So much for the idiotic claim that he suppresses bad news about the tribe at the tribe's request. As I've told you before, you don't know what you're talking about when it comes to PECHANGA.net.

Rob said...

Re "Pechanga.net has it already buried behind some stories published earlier in the day": Are you seriously arguing that the layoffs at Pechanga were the top story in Indian country yesterday? Wow. That claim shows a profound ignorance of what's important to Indians nationwide. Fortunately, Victor is running PECHANGA.net and you aren't.

OPechanga said...

The tribe, ROB, takes a child molester back and keeps someone who's stolen from them. They may NOT take me back, but there are multiple hundreds who SHOULD never be there.

Constitutionally, ROB, (Pechanga's Constitution and Bylaws) spell out the membership requirements. And, there is NO instance of attempts to discredit or overthrow the democratically elected government prior to disenrollments of the Manuela Miranda family. In fact, the effort to control the government, successfully has come from another group.

OPechanga said...

The layoffs at the second largest Tribal Casino in the country should be bigger news than the mayor not allowing slots in Sky Harbor, or Rohnert Parks casino fight or financing for Cache Creek or a Barstow casino thats a decade away. The fact that Pechanga is cutting almost 10% of their workforce IS NEWS.

Thanks for pointing out that Victor is running Pechanga.net that's big news.

And people are coming here in droves to hear, read and comment about Pechanga's layoffs, so, I'd say it's a big story. I'll double my average visits today.

Anonymous said...

Just curious is Rob paid any money by the tribe?..or is he looking for adoption?...he seems like a real load!!(imo)....and no, I am not tribal or ex-tribal..just ex-pechanga...how can this Rob discount the facts?..the hired expert says you are Pechanga and Rob says you are not?...who the hell is he?

OPechanga said...

Rob is an employee of Victor Rocha, Mark Macarro's cousin. And he is Victor's friend, which is why he's so loyal.

Since Rob seemingly hasn't read the evidence that's available, he can only go by what's he's told... by Mark Macarro's cousin.

And NO, Rob isn't paid by the tribe for Pechanga.net. Rob, have you ever been paid by the tribe for your freelance work?

Rob also has his own blog at bluecorncomics.com

OPechanga said...

Leave the name calling out of here please...

Anonymous said...

Yes Rob hit it right on the head. Enrollment is political. It's not about blood it's a club not a tribe!

Anonymous said...

yes...but how many REALLY have health insurance?...I bet they keep the majority on part-time so they aren't covered...I wonder if the City Of Temecula has ever done a study on how much it costs them to cover the uninsured employees from Pechanga?..after all the tribe has to keep getting their $42 million a month per capita checks(1400@$30,000 a month)...which really should be starting to come down soon...I hope!!then watch them kick some more tribal members out...

Anonymous said...

I dont' know who has insurance, but that seems to be a good question for the news team to ask, and one that Pechanga should be able to answer.

There is not 1400 members, adults are down in the 750 range since we kicked out so many a few years back.

Anonymous said...

I have read on here that there are 1400 members getting the monthly checks.....which is right?...1400 or 750 as stated by garbani ?

Anonymous said...

WOW...
sure glad I read this Blog..
I will NOT be visiting this ugly place this weekend...sounds like a BIG mess...what a bunch of scum buckets...

OPechanga said...

For ROB,

In your comment, you say:

FYI, tribal membership is a political decision, not a biological one. Even if you're related by blood, the tribe has the right to expel you for political reasons. For instance, your repeated attempts to discredit or overthrow the democratically elected tribal government.

Can you explain the political reasons that you know about? Which attempts to overthrow the democratically elected tribal government?

So, by voting for Obama, you would be attempting to overthrow the democratically elected BUSH government?

PLEASE tell our readers, ROB, what you mean?

Anonymous said...

OK so...750 members get $30,000 each per month...that is still a total of 22.5 million dollars a month....damn....the California taxpayers are really losing a lot of money at this one Casino....now wonder there are so many people losing their houses....its probably been happening more since these Casinos opened...that a big drain off the economy...if they are taking $22.5 million out of this one Casino a month...think about how much more they are taking in....WOW!!!..I think I read that they can only pay themselves 25% of the money in per capita checks....that would be close to $100 million a month that they are taking in??..or is it 25% of the profit?...the public really needs to know this stuff instead of it being hidden in Sovereign Nation mumbo-jumbo...

stand your ground said...

Anonymus - you want the truth? from Pechanga? YOU WILL NEVER GET IT. THEY ARE EXPERTS IN HIDING THE TRUTH.

Anonymous said...

"the tribe has the right to expel you for political reasons."

This is where the civil and human rights violations come in play. no person is to lose their citizenship for political reasons.
However attempting to overthrow an government by violence would be a criminal act, not a political one. Voting against or protesting an established government without violence is generally perveived as a protected right and not an act of insurrection or treason
Allen L. Lee

Anonymous said...

Rob, while you make some good points about it being the economy that is fueling the layoffs at Pechanga, you seem to have doubts that there is corruption going on at Pechanga.

Well, we have proved corruption is going on there in regards to the land transfer of the Great Oak Ranch property.

You stated on another thread that the golf course that is on the Great Oak Ranch property could be on land adjacent to the property, not actually on it, and since that thread is now in the archives you may not have seen my answers to your comments.

Well, the history page from the Journey to Pechanga golf course official Web Site verifies that it is indeed on the Great Oak Ranch property, the tribe does not deny it.

http://www.journeyatpechanga.com./history.asp

HISTORY
The native history of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians is deeply implanted in every fertile yard of Journey at Pechanga. The cultural heritage and connection to the land runs deep and is virtually inseparable. The very name "Pechanga" means "place where the water drips," a fitting description so in keeping with the beautiful and natural water features that abound on this magnificent course.

Journey is built on a portion of Pechanga’s ancestral land that has been their "home" for countless generations. This land is also home to "The Great Oak" – one of the largest natural-growing, indigenous coast, live oak trees in the United States and estimated to be anywhere from 850 to 1,500 years old.

To the Pechanga people, the land that Journey is built upon, and the Great Oak that stands upon it, carries meaning that far transcends mere physical presence. The Great Oak, for example, has come to embody the very identity and character of the Pechanga Band: strength, wisdom, longevity and determination.

The Pechanga Tribe’s devotion and deep "connection to the land" makes playing the course at Journey all that more awe-inspiring. So when you’re out there on the pristine greens, enjoying every exhilarating minute, take a moment to pause, breath deeply and appreciate your surroundings…you too will feel the connection to this very special land that the Pechanga people hold so dear.

It cannot be refuted that chairman Mark Macarro in 2002, repesenting the tribe, promised the United States congress and the United States Dept. of Interior that no changes were going to be made to the Great Oak Ranch property, that it was going to be kept in its natural state.

It also can't be refuted that Macarro's brother John, general council of the tribe, said in response to critics of the Great Oak Ranch development, that the tribe can do whatever it wants with land once it is put into trust.

It is very apparent to me that it is corrupt to tell the U.S. government one thing and then for Pechanga to do whatever it wants once they have the land added on to the reservation.

Rob, the families that were disenrolled never tried to overthrow the legally elected democratically elected government.

In fact it was the kind of corruption exemplified in the Great Oak Ranch property land transfer that caused two large family lines, 25 percent of the tribe, to be ruthlessly kicked out of the tribe.

So it was a corrupt faction of the tribe, with the tribal council aiding and abetting their actions that really undermined the democratic process of the tribe, not the disenrollees.

This is because the disenrollees were not allowed to participate in the recent elections.

ROB, IF THERE WAS CORRUPITION IN THE AREA OF LAND TRASFERS, WHY COULDN'T THERE BE CORRUPTION ELSEWHERE IN THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT?

I will outline some of this corruption in another post as this one is getting too long.

Anonymous said...

Pechanga's strategy is to terminate as many high paying positions such as tables supervisors and bj dealers. The past week over 35 employees were terminated with no explanation. If you are a four diamond Casino, act like one, grow some balls or professionalism and lay them off. I've never heard of a company that fires there employees and not explan to them what they did. For all we know it could be discrimination. Fire all the old employees so you dont have to pay them year end bonuses and benefits. Really classless Pechanga. Greed is the Root of all evil ....you guys are just as bad as the oil Companies....how much profit is enough 8 billion, 15 billion,,,Karma will haunt you all ..

Anonymous said...

What was the amount of money Pechanga paid for their campaign to get more slot machines?

Didn't they pay 50 millon dollars to pass their proposition 94 just this past February?

Well 50 millon dollars would sure help their company now and if they hadn't spent all of that money, they wouldn't have to be laying off anyone, even in this slow econmy.

I think if there is nay way possible, the remaining tribal members should take a 25 percent cut in their per capita payments and put it into their compmay's operating budjet.

Reportedly they are getting 30000 per month so even with a 25 percent cut they would still be getting 22500 a month.

That is still plenty enough money to live well on and more than when I was still in the tribe.

Has anyone heard, are the tribal members, for now, going to be getting less in per capita payments?

Anonymous said...

the casino is not trying to eliminate people who are in high paying positions like dealers and such because dealers start at min wage and a majority of their income is from tips from the patrons that play there. i am in a tipping position at san manuel in highland and our position is one of the highest paid there but not hourly from the casino. more money in our pockets daily from the players does not effect the casino itself because the players will put all their jackpot winnings back into their machine like they always do. there must be a lot of corruption at this place because i do not believe it is the economy. i think its that they dont know how to use their money and where to invest and when. san manuel i think has too many employees as it is and they are still hiring and growing everyday. no hiring freeze and san manuel and no layoffs and i dont think there will ever be such a thing. business is good..

Anonymous said...

Well, I would say 50 millon dollars for their campaign to get more machines has a lot to do with them being in the red.

You figure 400 times 25000 dollars, if most employees even make that much, adds up to 10 millon dollars a year.

So the money for the Proposition 94 campaign would pay salarys for such employees for five years!

wiaasal said...

The CPP at Pechanga are a criminal element. The majority of this faction has done prison time. The fact that they are in the middle of indictments at the casino should send red flags to anyone who visits this place. Because the CPP continually violates tribal law, it will be the faction that brings the whole tribe to its knees.

Anonymous said...

Not only that aamokat....the 750 tribal members who get 30,000 a month adds up to 22.5 million A MONTH!!!....
they only had to reduce their own per capita by about a million a month and these 400 people could have kept working...of course that at your 25ooo a year salary figure..