Labor Violations at Saratoga

[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

[Gander]

Originally Posted by 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

I see Barclay Tagg driving around town in a huge Lexus (Florida plates) and the guys working for him on Schwinns

He be rolling in his Lexus looking all cool and ****.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by 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

Give me a break. You try to read through these laws and how to properly interpret them then give me your opinion. This isnt about people not being paid for their work, it is about the time schedule and the hours that are needed. It is too bad that taking care of horses is a job that takes considerable amounts of time and effort but no one drafted anyone into these positions. These guys make a lot more than they would doing something else that they are qualified to do (like washing dishes) and the immigrant workers flock to the track because the opportunity is much better than in the fields or in the restaurant business. And by the way you thoughts about paying them more and having them work harder is not only bunk it doesnt work, believe me i've tried.

[paisjpq]

Originally Posted by 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

farm work is farm work...it is backbreaking and the hours suck, and the profit margins are usually very slim....so guess what, the wages suck too. I can't tell you haow many jobs I have had in the horse industry (thoroughbred and otherwise) where I have put in 70-80 hour work weeks and gotten paid for 48 (the standard horse work week). And I'm not hispanic and I've done it for minimum wage. It's the nature of the beast, and anyone who enters any farming situation knows what they are in for...the animals eat first, sleep first and get better health care etc....
the old George Carlin line applies here "most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough not to quit.

[Stall Mucker]

Originally Posted by DaHoss9698

I'm willing to bet at least some of the people working the backside are probably here illegally and New York is hardly the only state this goes on.

I agree about the illegals. However, in many instances, illegals are the only folks who will take the work.
CapNews9, Albany reports that 88 workers are owed $7000 in overtime and minimum wages. Do the math. Doesn't seem like a real big error here. Dept Labor also reported that payroll books were not kept well which seems to indicate some workers are paid under the table or at least partially.
Most trainers will give the crew a bonus when stakes are won and times are good.

According to the report the Dept of Labor will broaden their investigation beyond Saratoga.