Below is a statement on this issue to the Racing Post which they have not published to date, despite it being a “hot” issue.

Jim Cornelius, Chief Executive of the National Association of Stable Staff, today Wednesday 2 May replied to Jim McGrath’s “outrageous” column in the Racing Post on Tuesday 1 May 2012.  He said “I do not know from where Jim McGrath concocted the view that Alan Morecombe, on behalf of the Horsemen’s Group, ‘assured me that non-members of NASS will not now be precluded from bonus payments’ (my emphasis).

“I have been involved, as a Member of the Horsemen’s Group, in the creation of this bonus scheme and from the outset my advice and the arrangements for the bonus scheme payment have been that it would go to all Stable Staff and not just NASS Members.  That decision was not intended to be used as an alternative position to that of the other groups represented on the Horsemen’s Group and whose members would only receive the bonus payment.

“The reasoning behind the position of myself as the leader of NASS was both a matter of principle and practicality.  Firstly, NASS is required to represent all Stable Staff by virtue of its funding and that is a principle contained within our Rules.  Secondly, unlike the other organisations, we do not have any mechanism to solely identify NASS Members for payment.  There is only the pool money distribution system which applies to all Stable Staff.

“NASS does also have in its Rules, an arrangement which is solely for the benefit of its Full Members which relates to the payment for legal representation.  I think that it is appropriate for a representative organisation to ensure that certain benefits only go to its members.

“Jim McGrath’s statement that ‘at least kicking up a fuss apparently means some of racing’s lowest paid workers won’t be subjected to the same cynical prejudice as others’ is totally off beam and it is NASS who has obtained the financial benefit for all Stable Staff and not Jim McGrath as our newsletter due out shortly will publicise.  Perhaps he might start ‘kicking up a fuss’ for Stable Staff at more appropriate times such as when we submit our annual pay claim to the NTF or by lobbying the Trainers of his horses for Stable Staff to be better paid.”

Statement from Jim Cornelius, NASS Chief Executive       26 April 2012

When first hearing of the cuts in Stable Staff facilities at Newmarket and Epsom Racecourses, Jim Cornelius, NASS Chief Executive, made contact with his counterpart at the Jockey Club, Stephen Wallis, ex-Managing Director of Newmarket Racecourse and now Jockey Club Group Director of International and Racing Relations.

Jim was firstly assured that this was not a corporate policy initiative by the Jockey Club Board and that Stephen would investigate the actions of the two racecourses concerned.  Jim met with Stephen at Epsom Racecourse on the afternoon of Wednesday 25 April 2012 and was advised of the following:

1. That Newmarket Racecourse has not changed its policy but that the new Managing Director, Amy Starkey had written out to Trainers as is usual at the start of the flat season.  She reiterated the existing policy that there was not free entry to Friday Race Meetings but there was a mis-understanding about access on Saturday’s.  It is stated by Stephen Wallis that there is no change to existing Newmarket Racecourse Policy regarding access for Stable Staff.  Any experience to the contrary of this should be reported to the NASS Office.

2. The letter sent out by the Managing Director of Epsom Racecourse to Epsom Trainers withdrawing free entry for Epsom Stable Staff and substituting reduced attendance prices to certain Epsom Race Meetings, primarily those with music events after racing, was a reaction to abuse given at previous events last year.  Jim Cornelius was at the NASS Epsom Regional Committee Meeting on Wednesday night and advised the NASS Representatives that there was to be a meeting between the Epsom Racecourse, Managing Director, Rupert Trevelyan, and representatives of the Epsom Trainers Federation on Friday 27 April to discuss this change in practice.  The NASS Representatives denied that there had been any abusive behaviour by Epsom Stable Staff at music events at the Racecourse.  It is hoped that a NASS Representative can be present at that meeting and Jim is demanding that this cut in Stable Staff facilities at Epsom Racecourse be re-instated immediately.

Jim says that these events have raised the whole issue of relations between Racecourses and NASS in regard to Stable Staff facilities.  He goes onto say that “to date NASS has had good relations with the three racecourse groups and the Racecourse Association.  As they are not the employers of Stable Staff, it has not been felt necessary to have formal procedure agreements with them as we do have with the National Trainers Federation.  However, the failure to consult NASS on changes affecting Stable Staff and their facilities means that I shall now be seeking to formalise arrangements with all Racecourse Groups and the RCA through procedure agreements.”

The British Horseracing Authority will be holding a Health & Safety in the Racing and Breeding Industry Seminar on June 12th, 2012 at Oaksey House in Lambourn.

This seminar is designed to provide practical guidance on the issues of Health and Safety and will be run by Tony Payne, a specialist Health and Safety Consultant. It is ideal for anyone keen to understand the health and safety requirements in yards and stud farms and is based around the industry’s own Health and Safety guide, “The Red Book”.  The seminar will run from 1.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m., costing £37 (including VAT & refreshments) per person and is IOSH accredited.

To book a place and for further information, please contact Michelle Douglas at the British Horseracing Authority on 020 7152 0020 or email: mdouglas@britishhorseracing.com

As NASS has been campaigning since its motion passed at the AGM on Best Turned Out Prize calling on all Racecourses to provide a suitable prize for Stable Staff in every race they put on (Stable Talk Issue 20) - we have just been notified of a Best Turned Out Series 2012 being operated by EPDS which is in line with our thinking on this. Click here for full details 

You will have read reports in Stable Talk of the research on employee voice being undertaken by Dr Janet Miller at the University of the West of England.  NASS is supporting this research and would like to encourage all members to complete the on line questionnaire to be found at http://www1.uwe.ac.uk/bl/bbs/research/cesr/NASS.

This will take around 10 minutes of your time to complete and will provide important information about the way NASS members handle workplace grievances.

To view the NASS Minimum Standards for Racecourses click here

 ... its not just horses that need looking after!

Becoming a member of the National Association of Stable Staff has never made more sense...Click here for full details on benefits and how to become a member

All stable staff or box drivers with runners here at Newcastle you are entitled to a 50% discount on the driving range, golf course & mini golf...Click here for full details

We are campaigning on your behalf for all the benefits and rights due. Click here to download the charter now