Page 21 - August 2005 The Game

Your Thoroughbred Racing Community Newspaper
The Game, August 2005 21
HBPA Update
HBPAAdministrativeOffices:135Queen’sPlateDrive,Suite370,Toronto,ON,M9W6V1 phone:416-747-5252
Health and Safety
Report from the Executive Director
Backstretch Workers Needed to Take Standard First Aid Course.
As you are aware the HBPA is aiding the trainers to reach industry standards for Health and Safety. We need to have 140 people take a Standard First Aid Course. We are asking Trainers and Assistant trainers to take the course as we need people who will hopefully not be leaving Woodbine in the near future so we do not need to retrain.
Courses will begin in August on Mondays and Tuesday.
For more information on the First Aid course or to sign up contact the HBPA Backstretch Office at Woodbine 416-675-3802.
HBPA of Ontario and Nordic Gaming (Fort Erie) agree to a Deal
After several long months of
negotiation, the HBPA and Nordic
Gaming Corporation (owners of
Fort Erie Racetrack) have entered
into a substantive three (3) year
contract. The contract is effective
January 1, 2005 and expires on
December 31, 2007. The term,
unless terminated by either party,
will be automatically renewed for
successive one year terms.
Practically speaking, if all goes well, this could be a very long term deal.
I cannot overstate the importance of such a milestone. Not only does the agreement set out the parameters of our new and continued relationship, it also enforces the strong will of the HBPA and Nordic's commitment of ensuring that the relationship will work towards a common goal. Namely, the
enhancement and betterment of thorough- bred racing in Ontario and specifically, the Niagara Peninsula.
From the Horsemen's perspective, this agreement solidifies the commitment of live racing in the Niagara region. Rumours have been abound recently that the new ownership group at Fort Erie has no interest whatsoever in live thoroughbred racing. This agreement speaks to the contrary.
Specifically, the agreement identifies the live date offering through the 2007 racing season. The targeted live thoroughbred dates have been set at 108, with any adjustment agreed to by the
parties based on projected purse distribution and horse population. Both parties are committed to regularly meet, develop and implement a strategic plan to maintain and improve the horse population available for racing at Fort Erie.
Financially, the agreement maintains the traditional " 50% of the Gross Revenue" split as well as the full horsemen's share of revenue from Slot Machines, casinos, and every other wagering and gaming source as mandated
by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, which is currently set at 10% as per the industry agreement with the Ontario Government.
Furthermore, this agreement will play a key role in fulfilling one of my mandates, that is, "winning legal recognition for horsemen at both the Provincial and Federal levels ". Currently, most arcane legal documents refer to "relevant horse people". This identification has not been acceptable to the HBPA. The HBPA wants national, legal recognition in the racing fraternity. Although the HBPA has been loosely recognized, the identification has not yet been entrenched in law. The agreement with Nordic identifies and acknowledges the HBPA as the "sole and exclusive representative and bargaining agent for thoroughbred horse people in respect of all matters relating to thoroughbred racing carried on at Fort Erie. Coupled with similar language in our Woodbine agreement, there is no question on who represents the thoroughbred horsepeople in the Province.
Executive Director Nick Coukos
Attention HBPA Benefit Plan Members
For those who take advantage of the HBPA Group Benefit Plan, which includes the Medical/Dental and Pension Plan, the HBPA requires that a photocopy of your valid ORC license be on file each year.
If you have not already done so, please drop off a copy of your 2005 ORC license at the HBPA Backstretch office or mail a copy to: HBPA, 135 Queen’s Plate Drive, Suite 370, Toronto, ON, M9W 6V1, Attention J. Samulak.
Failure to submit a copy of your 2005 license could result in a disruption of your coverage.
For additional information drop call 416-747-5252 or the backstretch office at Woodbine 416-675-3802 or Fort Erie 905-871-3200, ext. 3249.
September Trainer Testing
HBPA Annual Boat Cruise
The next Assistant Trainer/Trainer testing will be held at Fort Erie on September 21 and 23. Completed applications must be in the HBPA office by 3pm on September 7, 2005.
The HBPA’s highly anticipated annual boat cruise sets sail on Tuesday, August 30, 2005.
The bus leaves the Woodbine backstretch at 12 noon and the fun filled cruise takes approximately four hours and includes lunch along with a DJ and Dancing and door prizes.
Tickets are $10.00 and are now available in the HBPA backstretch office. The cruise has been sold out the past two years so be sure to get your tickets early.
Shedrow of the Month
Congratulations to Steve Attard and his crew who are the winners of Shedrow of the Month for July 2005 at Woodbine. Shedrow of the month winners receive $100.00 from the HBPA and $100.00 from WEG.
HBPA National Convention Hosted in Toronto
ThankYou toVolunteers
Corinne Phillips and the HBPA would like to thank the volun- teers who donated their time at this year’s HBPA Backstretch Picnic at Woodbine on July 11. Thankyou to Vickie, Ed Allworth, Mike Lewars and Velore Wright. A special “thank you” goes out to Tony Branch, who has been an invaluable volunteer for four consecutive years.
Board Members of the HBPA National Planning Committee discuss what is on the agenda during the National HBPA Summer 2005 Convention in Toronto.
This year’s summer convention was hosted by the HBPA of Ontario at the Windham Harbour Castle hotel in Toronto.
The Convention ran from Wednesday, July 20 to Sunday, July 24 and kicked off with an Executive Directors meeting on Wednesday. Meetings were held by the Education, Benefit Providers, National Insurance, Medication and Planning Committees on the Thursday; the Horsemen’s Journal, Benefit Providers, Wagering and Alternative Gaming
Information Committees on the Friday; and the Audit; Budget, Dues and Investment; Executive Committees on the Saturday.
A Full Board Meeting and Election of National HBPA Officers and Executive Committee was held in the morning on Sunday.
It wasn’t all work for the HBPA Committee members as they enjoyed a cocktail party, a boat cruise and a Day at the Races at Woodbine as well.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Meetings
Every Tuesday at 1pm HBPA Trailer Backstretch Woodbine Racetrack