Minimum pay rates for experienced stable staff in Ireland will rise to €10.75 per hour from €9.75 per hour after the Irish Stable Staff Association and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association came to an agreement for the period between Jan. 1, 2017 and May 1, 2019. Expenses for a day meeting will increase to €50 from €40, and to €60 from €50 for a night meeting. The agreement does not prevent a trainer from paying more favourable terms and conditions at a local level, which many trainers have in place already.
Bernard Caldwell, chairman of the Irish Stable Staff Association, said, “After much negotiation, we have reached an agreement that our members are happy to accept. Pay and conditions needed to improve and this was understood by all parties. Our members are often described, and rightly so, as the backbone of the industry, but that needed to be recognised in real terms, which has now happened.”
Michael Grassick, chief executive officer of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, added, “Our members represent a broad community in racing and have to work hard to stay in business in what are still challenging times. The stable staff provide a vital service and keep the show on the road, so we are very pleased to have arrived at a workable solution.”
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