CAW, OPSEU Support Racing Industry

Last week, Ontario Harness Horse Association board members and OHHA's general manager met with representatives of the National Automobile, Aerospace, Transportation and General Workers Union of Canada (CAW Canada) and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

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As a direct result of these meetings, CAW National President, Ken Lewenza, offered his support; and in a letter to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, he strongly urged the Liberal government to re-examine its policy decision as it pertains to the slots-at-racetracks program.

Warren Thomas, OPSEU's president, has expressed his intentions to work together with OHHA and challenge the government's action.

The contents of letters written by Lewenza and Thomas appear below, respectively.

Premier McGuinty,

On behalf of the CAW, and, of course, from a personal perspective, I wanted to raise our opposition to the suggestions made that your government may eliminate the percentage of slot revenue directed to the horse-racing industry in the Province of Ontario.

Make no mistake about it; the decision made years ago by government to allocate slot revenue to the horse-racing industry was the right one. The rationale for the need of this support is as sound today as it was when it was implemented. Sixty-thousand jobs are associated with this industry, which means 60,000 families are at risk of losing their livelihoods if, in fact, you move forward with the public suggestions that your government has made in recent weeks relative to this issue. Adding to the list of unemployed and underemployed will do nothing for dealing with the provincial debt except add to it. Job creation, employment enhancement and economic growth must be your priority recognizing the financial status of the province was balanced prior to the global financial crisis.

The CAW strongly urges your government to take a step back and have a thorough review of this particular policy decision. This review should include public consultation involving all stakeholders. Your favourable response in this matter would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Ken Lewenza
National President
CAW-Canada

Dear Brian,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. The information you and Ken Hardy provided filled in our understanding about this important matter.

As president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), I have the privilege and responsibility of representing 730,000 members across this province. Most services that contribute to the quality of life in Ontario are provided (in whole or in part) by OPSEU members.

OPSEU members work at both the Windsor Raceway and Rideau Carleton racetracks. We join you in deep concern over the McGuinty government's attack on the horse-racing industry. How can the elimination of over horseracing 60,000 jobs possibly benefit Ontario's financial situation? More shocking is the government's failure to have a sustainable plan to replace these jobs or retrain those about to be laid off. Many of these people have spent their life in this industry and will likely never find other employment.

The government's action is an assault on rural Ontario. It cannot go unchallenged. Finance Minister Dwight Duncan described the partnership between your organization and the OLG as a subsidy. He has spun this into a conflict between wealthy racetrack owners against health care and education. This is an untruth.

To have a future based on quality public services and prosperity rather than austerity Ontario must focus on retaining and increasing employment. This was underlined in a letter to the Premier I recently co-authored with Wayne Fraser, director of District 6 Steelworkers. We proposed a round-table meeting with business, labour and government so that together, the groups that make Ontario work could respectfully develop an industrial strategy, designed to ensure a future economy where many (not few) would participate and prosper.

The recent OLG announcement to close tracks and privatize is another short-term cash grab. The Liberals fail to recognize that Ontario's financial crisis is based on a lack of revenue, rather than just an excess of spending. The revenue problem can only be addressed by a fair, progressive and responsive tax system. By addressing the revenue side, Ontario can develop a balanced approach to emerge from debt and deficit. Government's plan to move casinos to urban centres is more than an assault on the horse industry. It shows that the Liberals have no problem preying on the needy, vulnerable and retired who throw money into casino slot machines and games with the dream of hitting it big. Shame!

As OPSEU builds working class and community coalitions across this province, I look forward to working with you and your team. It's coming down to the wire, but though teamwork longshots can come through. I'm betting on the people.

Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President
Ontario Public Service Employees Union

For Trot Insider's complete coverage regarding the fallout and uproar in response to the OLG and Ontario Liberals' treatment of the provincial horse-racing industry, click here.