On Tuesday, February 21, Service Employees International Union Local 2 (SEIU Local 2), the predominant union in the Ontario horse racing industry, issued a release calling on the Ontario government to consult with the province's industry before any changes are implemented
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The SEIU Local 2 release appears below in its entirety.
Service Employees International Union Local 2 is the predominant Union in the Ontario horse racing industry, proudly representing workers at more than half of the 17 racetracks across the Province. As the largest Union of racetrack employees, SEIU Local 2 is calling upon the Provincial government to consult with all industry stakeholders, including Local 2, before acting upon any Drummond Report recommendations pertaining to the live horse racing industry in Ontario.
Cam Nelson, President of SEIU Local 2 issued the following statement:
"We think Mr. Drummond's recommendations to revise the current 'Slots for Tracks' revenue-sharing formula is over-simplistic in its analysis of a complex industry issue and which does not sufficiently analyze the losses to the Province and its communities of simply abandoning the 'Slots for Tracks' program. In the absence of extensive consultation with all industry stakeholders to identify viable alternative solutions for the industry, implementation of such recommendations will have a devastating and permanent impact on the continued viability of this important jobs sector of our economy.
"The horse racing industry is the second largest employment creator in the agricultural sector, and a significant and vital economic engine creating over 60,000 good-paying jobs in mostly rural communities. Full and meaningful dialogue should take place with all industry stakeholders, including this industry's largest Union, before any changes are implemented."