Breeders not guilty

Press, 9 January 1987, Page 21

Breeders not guilty

PA Hamilton Northern horse breeders facing unionisation of their stablehands say they are not guilty of paying low wages or demanding their workers accept poor working conditions.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association executive director, Dave Bradford, said he had not scrutinised the Labourers’ Union moves to unionise the industry, but he doubted there would be any mass panic among breeders. “From my understanding if a bloke isn’t getting enough or if he doesn’t like where he’s working he just goes down the road.

“There is competition for good staff.”

Bradford stressed the breeding industry should not be lumped with the racing industry. Asked if

he had heard of reports of sub-standard working conditions as claimed by the union he said he had not He said the association had no policy opposing unionising the industry, but it would be concerned if a union covering stablehands and stud workers took a dictatorial approach. "When you are dealing with livestock you have to be flexible. It is a 24-hour industry.

“In Australia when the industry was unionised you saw situations start up where only a union member could lead a horse on to the track, instead of the owner or a member of the family.”

Asked if stud workers were covered by a racing industry agreement drawn up after unionisation moves in 1984, Mr Bradford said wages and conditions varied.

Many were paid under the Farm Workers’ Award. He said there was harmony between employer and worker in the industry.

The Labourers’ Union needs just 25 signatures on a petition currently circulating in the Waikato to apply for coverage of stablehands in the north half of the North Island. It has 13.

The New Zealand Trainers’ Association opposed union involvement in the industry. It says an industry-policed wages agreement is working.

The Labourers’ Union says the New Zealand Racing Conference, which administers the racing code in New Zealand, has failed to police the minimum working conditions and pay stipulated in the voluntary agreement. The conference says there have been few complaints.

Assistant secretary-gen-eral manager, Russell Collins, said the Labourers’ Union moves would probably be discussed at the next conference meeting on February 26.

But he stressed the conference had no policy opposing union involvement in the industry.

Trainers and stud owners were the employers, so they would be dealing with the unionisation issue.