Labor Violations at Saratoga

[ELA]

Haven't read the actual state report, however, this may in fact have more to do with individual trainers than it has to do with NYRA -- for that matter, perhaps everything.

Eric

[zippyneedsawin]

Originally Posted by ELA

Haven't read the actual state report, however, this may in fact have more to do with individual trainers than it has to do with NYRA -- for that matter, perhaps everything.

Eric

The e-mail from Rosales did not identify what employers were implicated, but a person close to the case said the investigation focused on private horse trainers, not the New York Racing Association.


per the article posted by Travis.

[paisjpq]

I would like to know who the hell is actually surprised that these people are underpaid...

[Bystander]

Originally Posted by paisjpq

I would like to know who the hell is actually surprised that these people are underpaid...

Seriously. This is news?

[Cannon Shell]

For the quality of work received, very few are underpaid. The govt seems simply to exist to try to destroy small business and provide big media circuses to make it seem as though they are actually doing something. No one working on the backside doesnt understand the deal going in, backside workers recieve health care benefits and a place to live to go along with their pay. After the bs workmans comp law that was passed in NY last year this is step number 2 in the death of all non connected business in NY. Horse trainers are an easy target because of the perception of everyone being wealthy, the widespread use of immigrants and the lack of a trainers lobbyist group. The timing of Travers week is no coincidence i'm sure.

[Linny]

The fact is that the typical backstretch worker DOES have a long day, when he or she is "running a horse." Even when the barn has nothing running, it's split shift or a long day. Most of the barn work is done in the morning by noon then there is late feeding and evening check. It's the nature of the work.
That said, I agree with Cannon that for the employer (trainer) it's impossible to schedule staff to avoid overtime when the day starts at 5am and ends at 8pm. Even if you give your help 3 hrs off for "lunch", it's considered too long a day. In NY the issue is compounded by the insane detention process. The groom now has to sit in the gulag with the horse, unable to accomplish any of the barn chores that could be done while on the clock.

[freddymo]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

For the quality of work received, very few are underpaid. The govt seems simply to exist to try to destroy small business and provide big media circuses to make it seem as though they are actually doing something. No one working on the backside doesnt understand the deal going in, backside workers recieve health care benefits and a place to live to go along with their pay. After the bs workmans comp law that was passed in NY last year this is step number 2 in the death of all non connected business in NY. Horse trainers are an easy target because of the perception of everyone being wealthy, the widespread use of immigrants and the lack of a trainers lobbyist group. The timing of Travers week is no coincidence i'm sure.

Maybe the day rate of 85 a day isnt enough to pay the workers?

[Habersham000]

Well we don't live in a 3rd world country so that is why we have Labor Laws...there should be NO reason why they can't be followed and Trainers should not think they don't have to follow them...I guess every trainer feels they are entitled to driving a BMW in New York, so they stiff their workers....if the help is no good why don't you just fire them? I would think if you did pay the help the correct amount they would make more money and in turn maybe work harder...just a thought