Grooms strike? Press statement

kalahari Wrote:

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> Umlilo, the answer is simple. I had a home 15km
> from work which i shared with other collegues who
> also worked with me. I don't get embarrased, and
> also say it as it is.


I appreciate your post....(tu)

Kalahari nice to have you here, you were the first person I met on my arrival at summerveld, I think you used to drive an old mazda/ ford back then and was working for Mark Daley! I stopped to get directions to the groom school from you! We then met a few times when you worked for Dennis Bosch, I had a horse with him called Winged Warrior when he was in summerveld! We used to bring those hot mutton curries to the stable for breakfast lol I had a maroon bmw, I used to always come with my friend , we were probably the youngest owners in the yard

Correct BC. Good times. Served a good 10yr stint with Dennis starting in '92.

What a lot of bull shiters on ABC ,make out as you care about the groom's what a joke .let the jockey club sort it out,but to listen to read the kak that the reborn apartheid ABC members makes me sick,and titch you should take over from Desmend Toto

Some utterly ridiculous comments. Cannot be bothered to get into it, but they do have a point that they want the R17bar that is rightfully theirs.

But to see rich people doing what rich people do and workers to expect to be given more for no other reason than because you believe you entitled to it, is the problem that is south africa.

......

where do the grooms live that work for private trainers?

Look start a retirment fund for the older grooms! They the ones that need the help the most!

The money is not owed to every groom in the country! The money is there to build grooms hostals for the newmarket trainers that were relocated to timber city and turffontein! The trainers were then charged one rand a box on condition they found rooms for their grooms! So will someone tell me how durban and capetown grooms think the money belongs to them?and its not a case of race been a issue here its class! Ask the vaal and randjies trainers what happened to the revamped grooms hostals? It took a week for the grooms to screw the place up! From removing taps to tiles on the floor to door handles to lights?! We as trainers look after staff we buy uniforms and boots in one week they gone ! Their is no pride what so ever! You pay wages in a day its gone pissed up on booze, regardless on what u pay! My head groom tells me they want 1000 a week from phumelela based on the fact they break the horse in and get it ready to race and the jockey gets on and gets what ever they earn a ride! My idea is that every trainer should be given a allowance per runner ( we get currently per night and sunday runner) let's say 250 a runner so that 150 goes into a pool to be split end of month between the grooms ! The other 100 should go to trainer

This is a complex problem, but I believe, like some others here in being solution minded.

Think each party/ stakeholder needs to take responsibility, with industry horse racing authorities who should be accountable. Example:

1. Horse racing authorities: need to set standards for grooms entrance into the industry, minimum requirements, encourage education (education is the key to transformation), minimum salary, provide guidelines to trainers, link with basic condition of employment

2. Government: must lead from the front, perhaps this should be point 1, dealing with old beliefs and attitudes: a paradigm shift. Let's be honest, this industry has been dominated by whites historically, and transformation is slow and hampered because of erroneous beliefs and insecurities. There is enough for all is a better attitude than scarcity. How many black trainers do we have? % of black owners? Yes, this is a game of passion, not all are gonna take interest and keeness... but when you look at how empty the race tracks are on most meetings, one has to think differently of how to attract more people to the sport.

3. Trainers: We have some very good trainers, but many with old mindsets and beliefs - which regurgitates the old problems. I am sure that there are trainers who swear at grooms (fathers to children, husbands to wives), and at worst even strike a groom physically. This is rationalised by "they're stupid, lazy, wrong people in the job, they deserve it etc". Nothing will change until trainer's beliefs change. It's not a game of just training horses but dealing with people (lead, manage and interpersonal skills lacks - often because they're also lousy fit as trainers; plus it requires financial skills, compliance, marketing, pr, website, branding, image, reputation management)

4. Owners: Owners need to participate and understand the industry and what happens. Follow the money trail. It is the supply which both serves the industry, and fuels the problems. By owners not knowing what happens in this industry, or turning a blind eye, little will change

5. Grooms: Existing grooms must be taught, educated and improved. If they are unwilling, then perhaps they are not meant for this work. Do something else. I agree, they bring upon the own problems, but its based on old maps/ beliefs. They don't know any better. And having a trainer reinforce that they have poo for brains, cements the beliefs, and a future generation will be raised with same mindsets. Life skills, work ethic, communication skills etc should be taught. Not the proverbial embarassed interview who hesitates or does not give a groom a chance to speak thinking "eish, he'll mess this one up..."

6. The list can go on and on. And then we have the punters, who also keep everything other stakeholder above alive. We also have massive power........ but we're suckers for the game, and are often also full of apathy to bring about positive change. Why? cause maybe we just want to back the next winner and feed whatever need racing offers us.

Selfishness seems a thread above. We need to think different, act different.

@Curlin:

'This is a complex problem, but I believe, like some others here in being solution minded.'

I wouldn't mind exchanging my 'second best post' (donbetright!) for yours to be the best so far!

Yes, put the problem on the table, look at it from all angles, find possible solutions, review, back to the table..... check out the errant ones, get their input, neutralise, establish mutual confidence, respect and trust, review..... then implement!

I haven't raised race / racism, yet, there have been so many disparaging referrals and insults to it without addressing the problem!

Take a bow..... and a Bells Curlin!

If I was in a job I didn't like, I'd look for a new one.