MASHANTUCKET, Conn. (AP) – The Mashantucket Pequots have formally objected to a union election won by the United Auto Workers on Nov. 24 to represent dealers at the Foxwoods casino.

In a complaint to the National Labor Relations Board, tribal officials say the election was improper because ballots were available only in English while many employees speak other languages.

The tribe also accuses the union of threatening workers, saying that those who did not vote for the union would be fired, and harassing and intimidating employees to suppress voter turnout among union opponents.

A phone message seeking comment was left for a UAW officials. The Hartford office of the NLRB was closed Monday and a spokesman was not available for comment.

Tribal officials also said the Mashantucket tribe and Foxwoods are not subject to the jurisdiction of the NLRB, though a federal court ruled in February that federal labor law applies to Indian tribes and their gambling businesses.

The vote by the 3,000 Foxwoods dealers followed a campaign that raised issues such as pay, health insurance and cigarette smoking by casino customers.

AP-ES-12-03-07 1749EST