Valets Have Option to Strike in Dispute With Churchill

The union for the valets that work at Churchill Downs and Turfway Park is notifying other unions that a strike could be imminent; a move that could lead to fellow labor union members like actors, athletes, and pari-mutuel tellers avoiding the 147th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

A loss of valets, of course, could lead to disruption on these major race days that culminate with a Derby that has 20 horses entered. Beyond that, athletes and actors frequently attend these race days, bringing some star power to the Louisville track. A loss of pari-mutuel tellers would remove a critical service to patrons and would figure to cause a hit to on-track handle. 

Representatives of the Service Employees International Union have said the union has authorized a strike by the valets of SEIU Local 541, if the valets so choose. That topic was discussed by the valets who work at Churchill and Churchill Downs Inc.-owned Turfway Park during a meeting the evening of April 28, said David Suetholz, an attorney for the union. 

The results of that discussion have not been released.

The valets' union, SEIU Local 541, also represents pari-mutuel tellers who work at Churchill. In preparation of a possible strike by the valets, other labor union members also are being notified of the potential for a labor disruption, Suetholz said. The tellers have a separate contract with Churchill that Suetholz said gives the tellers the right to honor a strike by the valets. 

"Today's the day we're going to be telling people they may be confronted with the moral choice," Suetholz said.

Churchill Downs Inc. released a statement from spokesperson Tonya Abeln disputing the union's claims.

"While it is not unusual for the Kentucky Derby to be used as a platform for awareness, we regret that, in this situation, there are factual inaccuracies reported by those attempting to leverage the Derby that affect our valued team members and potentially the critical work they do at Churchill Downs Racetrack," she said, adding that Churchill's proposed wages are higher than other tracks in the region that have comparable days.

Union representatives have accused Churchill of corporate greed, saying a pay increase that would cover all of the valets would cost the Louisville-based gambling company a total of just $27,000 a year. Valets, who assist jockeys with tasks like saddling and unsaddling and obtaining the correct silks for each race, are paid about $16 an hour. Negotiations include contributions to retirement accounts and guarantees of staffing levels, the union has said.

Churchill disputes the $27,000 figure cited by the union and the company says its most recent offer rejected by the union included a 6% raise for 2022 that is "double the typical cost-of-living increase" and a 4% increase for 2023.

CDI's Abeln noted that valets are Churchill Downs seasonal employees, who also may be employed by individual jockeys. She said the negotiations related to Turfway "should be unrelated" to the Churchill racetrack negotiations and can't be completed before Derby since Turfway won't race again until December.

Abeln said the Churchill proposal also includes increases in pay for Oaks, Derby, and holidays, including an Oaks/Derby bonus. She also said that Churchill can't agree to the staffing levels because the number of horses being entered isn't in Churchill's control. Even though staffing levels aren't anticipated to change, Abeln said Churchill must be able to adjust if something unexpected occurs in terms of field sizes.