The unionized members of Pari-Mutuel Guild Local 280, covering pari-mutuel tellers at Del Mar, have voted to go on strike next week, threatening the opening days of the meet. The story was first reported by the Blood-Horse.
According to the story, some 86% of the membership elected to strike, citing the union's demand that the track maintain a baseline level of staffing. Del Mar President Josh Rubinstein confirmed that the mandatory staffing levels was largely responsible for an impasse and that the track desires to retain flexibility in its staffing levels.
Rubinstein told the Blood-Horse that while he anticipates that a deal can be hammered out prior to next Wednesday's opening day, the track has done contingency planning and is ready to employ non-union workers and is ready to extend help to patrons to use self-serve betting terminals.
Negotiations were said to be continuing through the day Friday at Los Alamitos.
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