Strike’s death threats, violence

Strike’s death threats, violence
June 23, 2018 by admin Leave a Comment
TRAINERS based at Randjesfontein have issued a press release in which they give their version of events that unfolded before and during the grooms’ strike that was staged at the North Rand Training Centre this week.
The trainers claim that while they have sympathy for the striking grooms and are happy to pay the wages agreed to, the deal was made under a constant threat of violence, to which they object to in the strongest terms.
The released reads:
Following partly correct and in some cases incorrect reports in the media about the grooms’ strike that took place at Randjesfontein this week, we feel obliged to inform you of the true facts that are relevant in this matter.
After last month’s strike, a series of demands were put forward by the grooms/Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to trainers at the North Rand Training Centre.
The grooms approached the EFF out of frustration after they’d been let down by Mr Samoto of the then SAGA (South African Grooms Association), who attempted to form a national forum but took his eye off the ball after he was awarded a security contract at Durbanville. This left a gap for the EFF to fill.
We, the trainers, deemed it a good idea to create a monthly forum between us and the grooms in which their needs could be addressed in an ongoing manner, a process that was hijacked by the EFF.
We must state from the onset that we have sympathy with the plight of grooms nationally in regards to wage demands, living conditions, travelling to and from race meetings, safety in the workplace; and also with their requests for compliance in the workplace when it comes to UIF and Workmans Compensation – basic, realisable issues that should have been taken care of without the EFF getting involved.
There were trainers who have not been paying basic acceptable minimums, but many others were, and are, paying well above that. We concede that in some cases minimum wages had not been paid, this has now been addressed.
The wage issue is complicated in that it reflects a highly competitive industry in which most trainers do not charge enough, they undercharge to remain competitive and there is a knock-on effect from that.
The grooms asked for a minimum wage of R14,000 per month, an unrealistic figure which will lead to the closure of the racing industry if adhered to. There is a definite limit in South African racing of owners willing to pay for the luxury of owning a racehorse. Costs inc - More mikedekockracing.com/wp/index.php/2018/0...th-threats-violence/

look this is all very well but these issues were raised on the 20 may and were not actioned despite promises. i am the first to decry the tone and attitude of the striking worker in this country but if legitimate grievances such as the withholding of the grooms stakes are not addressed first time round then things will get ugly. what incences me is that what was valid was not adressed and now the precedent has been set whereby violently escalating a demand leads to capitulation.
there can be little trust between trainer and staff now and when working with horses you need to have faith in your team . trainers should know this and should never have exposed themselves to this situation which they clearly did by not responding timeously to the 20 may protest.
as to the role of mp in several posts louis goosen has stated that any trainer found to be in breach of labour laws such as minimum wage and withholding grooms percentage will be immediately and harshly dealt with. if that was true and had happened this protest would not have happened
something does not add up.

Whether you agree with it or not, it has been shown time and time again that passive resistance and opposition just does not work in South Africa.
In horseracing for instance, those that have publically opposed the stripping of our racing's assets, the capture of horseracing, especially the Racing Trust, the RA and the NHRA, the nepotism, the deprivation of grooms, the secret stakes 'agreements', the tote shenanigans etc. were banned, met with derision, threats, discredited and labelled by many of those bleating at the demise of horseracing right now. They sat back, praising fraudsters like Jooste, seeking favour and contracts from the Emperors, turning a blind eye to the selling of racetracks, bending and breaking our rules and quashing of any resistance from the 'lunatic" fringe, even having Wainstein appearing on tv and advocating that these persons such as Robyn Louw and Advocate Brett be kicked our racing because they "bad for the game".
And people wonder why there are now violent strikes ?
You made your bed now lie in it !

They look a nice bunch.

www.racingpost.com/news/latest/jockey-cl...g-s-workforce/336971

Agree with u Jim, Urbanite. However, we still do not know who the culprits were that were not paying their grooms fairly.
However, if just those grooms of those Trainers downed tooks and reported to either PGL or NHRA, then it would have been resolved very quickly...

The mass action, violence and threats cost the Industry and left us all a bit bitter and still clueless as to who did what.

Hear meetings went quite well today

Dave Scott wrote: www.racingpost.com/news/latest/jockey-cl...g-s-workforce/336971

.....now here is a very good idea.....instead of the outsourced PGL kitchens at tracks serving only to very few paying patrons....or some meetings not having a full fair from the kitchens at all....keep kitchen staff employed on more race days to make food for the travelling grooms.....and have PGL subsidize this.....instead of all the Gravy going to the execs... :huh: .

davetheflower wrote: They look a nice bunch.

You must see their wives :ohmy: