Nationwide Groom strike

I`m hearing (had it confirmed from a trainer ) that there has been and still meetings being held now to try and stop a nationwide strike.

Seemingly if demands not met its all out strike

Yikes, not that again :S

Meeting today to try and stop the strike happening in Durban from tomorrow

I think if jockeys and trainers can get a% of stacks why not the groom, he dose more work with the horse then both, even if it's 1 or 2%, that is my opinion.

savasp, they do get that already.

Craig sorry I never know that, when I had horses about 2 years ago they never,Craig what do they get if I may ask.

savasp wrote: Craig sorry I never know that, when I had horses about 2 years ago they never,Craig what do they get if I may ask.

most of them 1% of nothing :whistle:

Every year, the timing around a big race, we now have strikes or the threats of a strike? Does anyone know what is going on, I have a number of questions:

What exactly are the grooms unhappy about?
Which union is negotiating and who are they negotiating on behalf of?
In an environment where unskilled labour unemployment runs at around 65%, what exactly are the grooms going to do if they get dismissed?
What involvement has there been from owners bodies - owners will no doubt have to fund the invariable promises made?

OTA pay decent salaries and the grooms wouldnt need to be "unskilled labour"

I think the meeting went ok yesterday, still to be signed and seeled

How does an increase in salary translate to an increase in skills Bob?

This has nothing to do with any owners bodies.... I contract with a trainer not a groom. Pay the groom from the stakes I totally agree but then put the stakes up unless you just want to keep shafting the owner.

FFS, this shit comes up every year so where are the figures that grooms are paid? If an owner is paying R8-R10 000 a month for a horse in training then what is the breakdown for the groom? There isn't one groom per horse so i am interested to see the breakdown.

Every horse i have been involved with I have ensured that the groom is paid a bonus every time the horse performs well.

Right now our economy is fucked, we have for the last three years been swallowing the shit government has dished up;
1. CPIX has been between 6.1 & 6.5% (the factors used for the calculation are wrong)
2. Salary increases are based on the above
3. The above number is absolute shit as the petrol increases, food prices & inflation in reality are way higher.
4. So every employee is currently fighting with their employers who are battling to make any profit with the current costs and exchange rate trying to keep doors open and provide employment.

The unions should be fighting with government not those providing employment.

The above statements i make without knowing exactly what grooms earn and are subject to ratification.

Tiger some grooms look after 3 horses, trainers should be able to triple their salary imo

Because salaries are so low they can't attract professionals, as OTA says they attract people desperate to work( labourers) imo grooms should be professionals like they are in the UK

But in the UK they earn 350-400k a year

Bob Brogan wrote: Tiger some grooms look after 3 horses, trainers should be able to triple their salary imo

Because salaries are so low they can't attract professionals, as OTA says they attract people desperate to work( labourers) imo grooms should be professionals like they are in the UK

But in the UK they earn 350-400k a year

Bob In South Africa, they have a training programmes called SETA which you can claim back the money spent from the Government. You be able to empower the grooms by providing the training at little cost.

The Summerhill School of Excellence can provide these courses or at Summerveld itself.