Labor Violations at Saratoga

[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 ****.

Some of the trainers need to be deported as well.

[Linny]

Tagg just got that car. For 10 years he had an Altima.

[Gander]

Its really nice. I saw him doing like 60 on Lincoln Ave. Looked like he had somewhere he wanted to be.

[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.

[Habersham000]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

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.

If it takes long hours to take care of a horse then you should be paid for it...not stiffed on your hours....many people have jobs that take long hours but they get paid for every hour they work...I don't know what you or any other trainer pays their help but I would guess it is near minimum wage so they only reason they would make more money working with the horses versus washing dishes is they work more hours...their pay per hour rate would probably be similar.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Habersham000

If it takes long hours to take care of a horse then you should be paid for it...not stiffed on your hours....many people have jobs that take long hours but they get paid for every hour they work...I don't know what you or any other trainer pays their help but I would guess it is near minimum wage so they only reason they would make more money working with the horses versus washing dishes is they work more hours...their pay per hour rate would probably be similar.

Everyone who gets hired in my barn and most barns are fully aware of the hours, responsibilities and pay when they are hired. If they stay long enough they get bonuses, vacations and other perks like healthcare and a free place to live. Since I have been in business the pay scale has risen by at least 25% for grooms and hotwalkers and even more for exercise riders and assistants. What exactly should they do if they have a good horse and want to take care of them properly? Be mandated by the state to take a day off and let somebody else mess with them? Do you think Curlins groom wants someone else putting bandages on him?

[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.

Originally Posted by Stall Mucker

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.

Man they are really going after the big sources.
The home builders in Texas... jeez half the new houses would
not even be built. Its a migrant gold mine here.

They wont touch it. Would just add to the housing problems
the rest of the country already has.

Is this the Federal or State Dept. of Labor?
It is the state, makes sense.

[fpsoxfan]

At least these folks are willing to work. It's amazing how many natural born riff-raff just sit on their fat asses and wait for their welfare check. Which reminds me, New Orleans is about five days away from getting whacked again, do you think some of these folks might want to think about leaving this time?

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

At least these folks are willing to work. It's amazing how many natural born riff-raff just sit on their fat asses and wait for their welfare check. Which reminds me, New Orleans is about five days away from getting whacked again, do you think some of these folks might want to think about leaving this time?

Are you refering to any place special???

[fpsoxfan]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

Are you refering to any place special???

Gee.....I wonder..... Had a few at the PUB tonight. Nice place.

[Mag]

Originally Posted by fpsoxfan

Which reminds me, New Orleans is about five days away from getting whacked again, do you think some of these folks might want to think about leaving this time?

Why leave when they can sit on their asses and collect all over again? And this time plan it better so they can go to Vegas or on a cruise?

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by Mag

Why leave when they can sit on their asses and collect all over again? And this time plan it better so they can go to Vegas or on a cruise?

people say new orleans wants to rebuild--but who there will do it? there are generations who have lived there (and elsewhere) who know nothing but living on govt subsidies. they know nothing about building, let alone rebuilding. all the doers are elsewhere, doing it where they moved to.