Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO)

The Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance commonly referred to as TERO was enacted by the Quinault Indian Nation in 1987. This unique employment law, Title 97, requires every employer doing business on or near the Quinault Indian Nation Reservation give preference to qualified Indians. 

Because Native Americans are entitled to the protection of many federal laws that combat employment discrimination the Quinault Indian Nation has taken the lead in the enforcement of these laws by establishing a Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance enforcement program called the Tribal Employment Rights Office.

Requirements

Employers operating on or near the Quinault Indian Reservation are required to provide preference in employment, training, contracting, sub-contracting, and all other aspects of employment. 

Title 97 also requires that the TERO office work closely with all employers in setting forth a Compliance Plan. This plan shall indicate how the employer intends to comply with Title 97 which can also include a TERO fee as designated in the plan for each qualified business and/or project. 

The TERO Department will conduct onsite checks to monitor for employer compliance.

What TERO Does for Applicants

• Referrals to job sites will be provided to Indians meeting the preference categories. In addition, TERO will require employers to establish or participate in training programs designed to increase the pool of eligible qualified Indians for employment. 
• TERO negotiates with employers for positions within each job category with the objective of the employer selecting qualified TERO applicants to fill these positions from the TERO hiring hall. 
• TERO will provide follow-up monitoring on your employment status to see that you are not discriminated against while on the job. 
• TERO can negotiate valid discrimination complaints and violations of Title 97 on your behalf and file these complaints with EEOC if a justifiable violation has been found. The complaint must be in writing and within 180 days of the alleged violation or discrimination in order to be valid.

Performance Tiers

TERO has two orders of preference due to Federal laws that require part 7(b) to be followed if federal funds are used. Quinault tribal law prevails if non-federal funds are being expended.

The following orders of preference shall apply in all employment, contracting, and sub-contracting as follows:

Contracts Not Using Federal Funds

1. Quinault
2. Supporting Quinault
3. Other Tribal
4. Other Tribal Supporting
5. All others

Contracts Using Federal Funds

1. Indians who are local residents
2. Other Indians
3. Quinault tribal members
4. Providers for Indians
5. All others

If you have any questions or concerns you can always contact TERO between business hours at 360-276-8211 ext. 4800