NY Racetracks in Beef With Union

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CN) - The operator of Aqueduct, Belmont and Saratoga racetracks appealed an arbitrator's ruling that would give unionized workers who have a history of "shorting" cash drawers access to high cash-volume jobs on basis of seniority. The New York Racing Association sued Local 3 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union in Nassau County Court.

The NYRA originally banned some workers from positions that would provide opportunities to pocket more money. The IBEW Local 3 won an arbitration ruling in June that called the tracks' rule "unreasonable." The NYRA was told to let union members pick jobs based on seniority under the collective bargaining agreement. Local 3 members says they suffered financially from the NYRA's restrictions.

When state investigators discovered how widespread the shorting of cash receipts was between 1995 and 1999, they prosecuted and convicted many Local 3 members, according to the complaint. NYRA says it became the subject of a federal investigation and nearly lost its racing franchise.

NYRA says that union workers with a history of cash shortages should not have another chance to do it again. It claims the arbitrator's ruling violates public policy.NYRA is represented by Peter Bee with Bee Ready & Fishbein

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