THE lowest paid stable staff at racing yards will receive a pay increase of five per cent from 1 November.
The National Joint Council of Stable Staff — comprising the National Trainers Federation (NTF) and the National Association for Stable Staff (NASS) — recently concluded negotiations that will benefit all stable staff, especially those on the lowest wages.
In addition to raising minimum wages an appropriate increase for those on higher rates has been agreed.
Jim Cornelius, chief executive of NASS, said: “This is a welcome settlement. Trainers have recognised the case we put forward and have acknowledged some of our other claims, including an increase in holidays.”
An extra two days’ annual holiday has been agreed for members of staff who have been with the same employer for more than a year, and the hourly rate for time spent away at the racecourse has been increased by 50p to £6.50.
A joint project between the NTF and NASS will also re-examine weekly working patterns, with many stable staff working long, anti-social hours.
For more on this, see the current issue of Horse & Hound (16 October 2008)
