TERO (Tribal Employment Rights Office)

The Seldovia Village Tribe has established a Tribal Employment Rights Office to protect members’ employment rights on federally-funded contracts, subcontracts, and any other training opportunities that become available in the village or region. TERO uses federal government regulations and laws to enforce Native preference in filling job openings as they become available within the boundaries of the village corporation.

What is TERO?

The purpose of TERO is to assist local village work forces in achieving maximum employment within or near their villages by adoption of a TERO ordinance.

How does TERO work?

TERO assists with monitoring and enforcing the local TERO ordinance to ensure that employment rights of the villages are protected in the strongest manner possible. It negotiates job slots in each craft category on construction contracts which must be filled by qualified Alaska Natives before any non-Natives can be hired. Additionally, TERO assists on or near the villages to investigate and mediate discrimination problems. TERO also conducts on-site checks to see if employers are in compliance with their Indian-preferenced requirements.

What can TERO do for you?

If you are a Tribal member and are enrolled with SVT’s TERO office, TERO will refer you to jobs on or near the village, utilizing SVT’s Data Bank of workers. TERO will negotiate valid discrimination complaints and file complaints when a justified cause is found. TERO will follow up after your employment to see that you are not discriminated against on the job.

Summary

Alaska Natives and American Indians have a sovereign right to employment opportunities on and near their own land. These rights are protected through the local tribal governing body (Seldovia Village Tribe).

Members should become familiar with their employment rights by visiting or calling SVT’s TERO officer and working toward the goal of creating more meaning job opportunities for Native people.

If you are interested in filling out an application for SVT’s Data Bank for future employment, please contact the TERO representative, Trinket Gallien, by phone at (907) 234-7898, by mail at P.O. Drawer L, Seldovia, Alaska 99663, or by email at tgallien@svt.org.