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Negotiations between Batavia Downs Gaming management and the union representing about 150 workers have reached an impasse, and the union says it will hold a controlled informational picket outside the casino on July 31.
According to the union, the current contract expired at the end of 2025. The planned picket is scheduled for 2:45 to 4 p.m. in front of the casino.
The dispute centers on wages, benefits and how workers should share in the financial benefit of a New York tax-rate reduction secured last July. The union says Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.’s tax rate fell from 49% to 44%, but that the change did not produce the wage increases workers were expecting.
Management says its latest offer is competitive. In a letter to employees, Byron Brown said, "Throughout these negotiations, the corporation presented what we believe is a fair and competitive proposal" and added that the corporation remains hopeful an agreement can still be reached.
Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. said its proposal includes 3.5% wage increases in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Management also said it offered to double the gaming bonus incentive from 0.22% to 0.44% of employees’ gross wages, lower employee healthcare contribution rates, an additional floating holiday for full-time employees, four hours of personal leave for seasonal employees who return for the winter live racing meet, a higher shoe allowance and a larger shift differential for security staff.
The union rejected that package. It has argued that raises in the 8% to 10% range would be more appropriate and said the gaming bonus has amounted to around $100 as a one-time payment. The union also said no union employees have signed up for the family health insurance plan.
For casino patrons, the immediate development to watch is the July 31 informational picket. Both the union and management say mediation is scheduled for sometime in September, which is the next formal milestone in the dispute.
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Source: As reported by news.google.com.
