WROTB board approves new contract with union representing branch employees
Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. and the union representing OTB branch employees have reached a new two-year bargaining agreement that will give the branch employees two 3% annual raises.
The OTB board approved the proposed contract on Thursday. The Public Service Employees Union local must also approve the agreement.
As part of the agreement, WROTB executives agreed not to close any branches during the first year of the agreement.
"That was a big concern with the branch employees. When we met with them, they were concerned about the future of the branches," said Steve Casey, chief of staff to the CEO.
Under the terms of the agreement, the union and OTB management will form a committee to investigate ways to cut costs, as some branches are losing money.
The goal of the committee would be to "make sure we can achieve long-term stability," Casey said.
Casey said negotiations for the new contract took about six months.
The PSEU also represents employees at Batavia Downs, and there are separate negotiations for a new bargaining agreement with them. In all, about 52 percent of the corporation's employees belong to the union.
"We had good discussions with the union and their labor representative, Antonella Rotilio," said Byron Brown, president and CEO of WROTB.
