On pensions, SEIU members want a 25-cent per day increase for each year, meaning in the third year, the track would contribute $11.50 per day to each worker\u2019s pension fund. At Turfway, they want the pension contribution to double in the first year to $10 per day, with 75-cent increases in the following years, which would then make them level with the Churchill Downs contribution.<\/p>\n
Churchill Downs has proposed no changes to the pension fund at either track.<\/p>\n
The valets also want staffing guarantees of 13 per race day. In addition, they want 20 for the Breeders\u2019 Cup and about 24 for the Derby.<\/p>\n
Valets work 70 days during the year at Churchill Downs and 50 at Turfway. They also work at other tracks during the year, but they must pay for their own travel and lodging.<\/p>\n
David O\u2019Brien Suetholz, a lawyer representing the union, said that the members are keeping their options open.<\/p>\n
\nWe\u2019ve been clear the valets are going to work tonight, but we\u2019re keeping our powder dry,\u201d he told Casino.org<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nAfter Saturday, racing resumes at the track on Tuesday. The Kentucky Derby will run next Saturday.<\/p>\n
Late Wednesday, Churchill Downs Inc. announced its first-quarter results for 2021. The company reported net revenues of $324.3 million and net income of $36.1 million from the racetracks, casinos, and online platforms it owns and operates.<\/p>\n
Union leaders noted the margin in pay between CEO Bill Carstanjen and the median salary of other full-time workers at the track was more than 400-to-1 last year.<\/p>\n
“The regular valets who ensure safe and fair races at Churchill Downs\u2019 racetracks contribute mightily to the company\u2019s billion-dollar success,\u201d <\/strong>SEIU Local 541 said in a statement to Casino.org<\/i>. \u201cThey deserve job security and a wage that is at least $20 per hour.\u00a0 When the company can pay $10 million for its CEO, it can pay the men who properly saddle the horses a just wage.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nA message to Churchill Downs Inc. seeking comment Saturday afternoon was not immediately returned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A contract impasse between Churchill Downs and more than a dozen workers who help prepare jockeys and horses for races threatens Kentucky Derby week preparations. On Saturday, union members protested outside of Churchill Downs on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Officials with Service Employees International Union Local 541 said in a statement that the impasse could […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":171756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33810,14577],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Union Wants Churchill Downs to Bolster Pay for Track Valets<\/title>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n