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ILLINOIS HARNESS HORSEMEN

Click Here for a copy of the Memorandum of Agreement. This agreement for 2006 outlines the terms agreed upon that will be incorporated into the actual contract and were the items that were the center of the negotiations. The other items in the final contract are substantially the same as 2005. The full contract will be available on this site soon.

 

Memorandum of Agreement
Maywood/Balmoral will defer 70% of its 2006 recapture entitlement.

  • The deferred amount will be recoverable only if and when new revenue (as defined below) becomes available;

  • Rate and amount of recovery will be limited to 50% of the horsemen’s total reimbursement debt, whichever is less; additionally, if, in any given year, the combined recapture reimbursement and current recapture obligation exceeds 75% of the horsemen’s net from new revenue, the amount above 75% will be deferred to the following year.

  • If, after 70% deferment, purses generated are still insufficient to maintain 2005 purse structure, Maywood/Balmoral reserves the right to reduce purses accordingly; and,

  • Maywood/Balmoral’s right to recovery of the deferred amount will “sunset” on 12/31/12.

 

“New revenue” is defined as legislatively approved non pari-mutuel revenue streams, such as, but not limited to, gaming revenues on non-live          horseracing gaming.

The recapture deferral reimbursement language from the 2004 (par. 5) and 2005 (par. 3 A and B) contracts shall be modified to provide

that reimbursement will be taken from any new revenue streams (as defined above), so long as that new revenue is passed into public law

by December 31, 2006. After said date, the 2005 reimbursement will be governed by the original contract terms.

Maywood/Balmoral will provide coffee in the paddock as in the past. 

Maywood will pay $300 per nine horse field and limit 9 horse fields to 4 per night.

Sulky insurance the same as in 2005. 

Grievance/Arbitration clause stays in contract.

Balmoral/Maywood will be able to take 100% of recapture on the five days of work stoppage in 2006.

The IHHA take out will be set at $6500.00

The contract shall expire 12/31/2006

Duke Johnston for Balmoral/Maywood

Martin Engel for the IHHA

 

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IHHA SIGNS CONTRACT WITH

BALMORAL & MAYWOOD.
 THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

 The IHHA signed a one year agreement with Balmoral and Maywood Park Race Tracks on Thursday, January 5, 2006. Racing will resume on Saturday, January 7, 2006. There will be a doubleheader with both afternoon and evening racing on Saturday.

The contract provides that the tracks defer 70% of the 2006 recapture. This amount will be recoverable only if and when legislatively approved non-pari-mutual revenue streams, such as, gaming revenues on non-live horseracing gaming become available by the end of 2012.

There is also a provision that modifies the language pertaining to the past deferrals to reflect the language in the current contract for one year only.

All other provisions of the 2005 contract remain.

Without the unity shown by the horsemen and women of Illinois the IHHA would not have been able to come to terms with the Johnstons. Your support was invaluable to the negotiations. The IHHA Board of Directors and the negotiating team thank you.

Marty Engel
President - IHHA

 

 

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IHHA SIGNS CONTRACT WITH TRACKS

 

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The IHHA has signed a one year agreement with Balmoral and Maywood Park Race Tracks this evening, Thursday, January 5, 2006. Racing will resume on Saturday, January 7, 2006. Entries will only be taken until 10:00 TONIGHT, Thursday January 5th. There will be an attempt to fill both the afternoon and evening doubleheader cards. More information about the contract will be available on Friday.

 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!

 

Without the unity showed by the horsemen and women the IHHA would not have been able to come to terms with the Johnstons. Your support was invaluable to the negotiations. Once again, THANK YOU.

 

 

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update

As of January 4 , 2006, the IHHA and Balmoral / Maywood

Still DO NOT have a contract for 2006.

 

THE IHHA DOES NOT ENDORSE RACING WITHOUT A CONTRACT

 

Both sides have been submitting proposals and counterproposals throughout the past day since the horsemen's meeting on Tuesday. Lorna Propes, Chairman of the Illinois Racing Board, has been involved by talking with both the IHHA and track management in an attempt to keep the dialogue moving. At the time of this notice, we are waiting to hear back from the Johnston's on a proposal the IHHA has submitted to them.   

 

 Please call the hotline, check our website at www.harnessillinois.com or talk with the IHHA office to make sure the IHHA has a signed agreement.

 NOTE: Balmoral has cancelled racing for Wednesday, January 4th and Maywood has cancelled racing for Thursday, January 5th & Friday January 6th. 

 Wednesday, January 4, 2006 – 5:15 p.m.

  

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update

 

 

At a horsemen's meeting on Tuesday, January 3rd, in Tinley Park,  the proposal submitted by Balmoral and Maywood was unanimously rejected. While many of the horsemen in attendance felt the proposal showed some movement on the part of management, it did not go far enough in protecting the purse account, especially the terms that would indefinitely extend into the future any deferred amounts. The IHHA is working on submitting a proposal tonight to Lorna Propes, the Chairman of the Illinois Racing Board, for her to forward to the Johnston's. The IHHA has asked Chairman Propes that a negotiating meeting be held as soon as possible after we submit our proposal to discuss these issues.  

 

As of January 3 , 2006, the IHHA and Balmoral / Maywood still DO NOT have a contract for 2006.

 

THE IHHA DOES NOT ENDORSE RACING WITHOUT A CONTRACT

 Please call the hotline, check our website at www.harnessillinois.com or talk with the IHHA office to make sure the IHHA has a signed agreement.

 

NOTE: Balmoral has cancelled racing for Wednesday, January 4th and Maywood has cancelled racing for Thursday,       January 5th. 

 

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update

 

 

On Friday and Saturday, the IHHA has been in contact with Marc Laino of the Illinois Racing Board about scheduling another negotiating meeting with the Johnstons. Marc is the Executive Director of the Illinois Racing Board and has been mediating the negotiations for the past several weeks. Mr. Laino has indicated to the IHHA that the tracks might be willing to change their position on how deferred money is handled – an important distinction in protecting the purse account.

 

At the time of this update, no meeting is scheduled, but the IHHA hopes to meet with the Johnstons as soon as possible.

 As of January  2 , 2006, the IHHA and Balmoral / Maywood Still DO NOT have a contract for 2006.

 

 THE IHHA DOES NOT ENDORSE RACING WITHOUT A CONTRACT

 Please call the hotline, check our website at www.harnessillinois.com or talk with the IHHA office to make sure the IHHA has a signed agreement.

NOTE: Balmoral has cancelled racing for Sunday, January 1st and Tuesday, January 3rd.

HORSEMEN'S MEETING  

Tuesday, January 3, 2006, 12:00 p.m.

Holiday Inn Select
(I 80 & Harlem Avenue)18501 S. Harlem
 Tinley Park
Note change in location
 

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As of December 29, 2005,
the IHHA and
Balmoral / Maywood still
DO NOT have a contract for 2006.

 THE IHHA DOES NOT ENDORSE RACING
WITHOUT A CONTRACT


 NOTE: Balmoral has cancelled racing for Sunday, January 1st and Tuesday, January 3rd

The IHHA and track management met during an all day contract negotiations today, Wednesday, December 28th. NO AGREEMENT has been reached at this time and the IHHA reminds all horsemen that they DO NOT endorse racing without a signed contract. Please call the hotline, check our website at www.harnessillinois.com or talk with an IHHA board member to make sure the IHHA has a signed agreement. 

Thank you for your support!!!

At a meeting of the Illinois horsemen today the people in attendance were united in their support of the IHHA.  The IHHA asked those in attendance to share their opinion of the meeting with other horsemen and women who could not attend.

For more information contact the IHHA at:
Office (630) 323-0808 
email  Jkelly@harnessillinois.com 
website www.harnessillinois.com

Hotline (888) 601-7222

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
December 19, 2005
(Click Here for More Information)
Reminder - The IHHA does NOT endorse
Harness Racing without a Contract
 

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NOTICE
As of December 28, 2005,
the IHHA and
Balmoral / Maywood still
DO NOT have a contract for 2006.

 THE IHHA DOES NOT ENDORSE RACING
WITHOUT A CONTRACT

The IHHA and track management met during an all day contract negotiations today, Wednesday, December 28th. NO AGREEMENT has been reached at this time and the IHHA reminds all horsemen that they DO NOT endorse racing without a signed contract. Please call the hotline, check our website at www.harnessillinois.com or talk with an IHHA board member to make sure the IHHA has a signed agreement. 

Thank you for your support!!!

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
December 27, 2005

At a meeting of the Illinois horsemen today the people in attendance were united in their support of the IHHA.  The IHHA asked those in attendance to share their opinion of the meeting with other horsemen and women who could not attend.

For more information contact the IHHA at:
Office (630) 323-0808 
email  Jkelly@harnessillinois.com 
website www.harnessillinois.com

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
December 19, 2005

The I.H.H.A. met with representatives of Maywood & Balmoral Park, on Monday, December 19th. Once again Marc Laino, Executive Director of the I.R.B. was present and instrumental in keeping the dialogue focused on the contract issues. The issue of recapture, together with Mr. Johnston’s attempts to renegotiate the previous three year’s contracts, are standing in the way of an agreement for the 2006 racing season. Although Mr. Laino has asked that the lines of communication remain open, no date has been set for the next meeting.


 The IHHA will continue to work for a good and fair contract for the horsemen and women of Illinois.  Keep checking our website at www.harnessillinois.com  for updates on the status of the negotiations. For more information contact us at 800-572-0213 or email us at ILHHA@sprynet.com . The IHHA appreciates your support and values your input.

Reminder - The IHHA does NOT endorse
Harness Racing without a Contract

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
December 13, 2005

 

The IHHA Negotiating Committee met three times over the last week with track management, with the latest meeting taking place on Monday, December 12th. Both sides have submitted various proposals dealing with many of the same issues discussed previously. As of today the negotiations are at an impasse. The IHHA has taken a stance against their proposal to saddle horsemen with another hit to their pocketbooks by charging stall rent. The IHHA has also taken the position to keep the deal on recapture the same as the previous three years:   10% permanently waived – 20% taken by the tracks over time – 70% deferred and collected only if slots or the 10th River Boat license comes on line within three years.

The IHHA will continue to work for a good and fair contract for the horsemen and women of Illinois.  Keep checking our website at www.harnessillinois.com  for updates on the status of the negotiations. For more information contact us at 800-572-0213 or email us at ILHHA@sprynet.com . The IHHA appreciates your support and values your input.

 

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 IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
December 1, 2005

The IHHA Negotiating Committee met for over 3 hours with track management on Wednesday, November 30th. The tracks presented a proposal that included changes, deletions or additions to 18 different parts of the contract. Some of the items addressed included recapture, stall rent, nine horse fields, sulky insurance, driver quarantines and claiming conditions. The IHHA presented a counteroffer addressing each of the 18 items.

All of these items will be discussed at the upcoming horsemen’s meeting this Sunday, December 4th. This is an important meeting for all horsemen and women to attend. The IHHA needs your input into these proposals and wants all horsemen to understand the position of both sides on these items.

Recapture is obviously the issue that causes the biggest disagreement between the IHHA and track management. The issue is increasingly complicated each year as the amount that is waived, deferred or taken by the tracks is continuously negotiated.

Please keep your calendar open for the meeting this Sunday, December 4th at noon. The meeting will be held at the Tinley Park / Holiday Inn Select Convention Center which is located at I-80 and Harlem Avenue (exit Harlem northbound from I-80).  Your input is important and the IHHA appreciates your support. 

Keep checking this site for updates on the status of the negotiations.

 

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 IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
November 22, 2005

The IHHA Negotiating Committee met with track management on Monday, November. 21st. The IHHA presented an offer to sign for the same terms as last year on the recapture issue: The track takes 20%; they permanently waive 10% and defer 70% for up to two years until it’s reimbursed by the state or slots are licensed.  We expect the tracks to present a counter offer at our next meeting which will take place late next week. 

Some items that have been proposed are nothing more than having horsemen reduce their expenses. This assumes they expect to use our savings to increase the amount they can negotiate to take out in recapture (This includes programs to reduce Lasix costs, changes to the insurance program, the increase in purses from the 5/2 schedule and Saturday matinees). 

Another idea floated by the track is to charge stall rent next year. Again this is another way for the track to get into the horsemen's already depleted pockets. The IHHA wants the horsemen's feedback on these ideas and is planning on having a horsemen's meeting on Sunday, December 4th. (time & place to be announced). Please keep your calendar open as your input is important. 

Keep checking this site for updates on the status of the negotiations.

 

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IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
 November 8, 2005

The IHHA negotiating committee had a meeting with track management last Friday, Nov. 4th. The discussions centered on the main issue separating the two sides, recapture. The IHHA has stood firm on keeping the same terms for recaputure as we are currently racing for. Currently the track waives  80% of recapture unless the state reimburses us or the legislators approve slots at the tracks. So far the track has not given us a definitive counter offer and still refuses to match our 2005 agreement . Management has been saying to horsemen that they have been offering to pay purses at the same level they are today. Except, they will not guarantee  total purses paid. This idea would allow them to write a condition sheet full of lower class races while allowing the total purses paid to plummet and they would keep any balance that accumulates in the purse account. 

In addition to recapture, there have been discussions about eliminating the sulky insurance, charging for coffee, having nine horse fields on all of the races at Maywood and charging stall rent.   

Please keep checking the IHHA website for updates and status of  the contract negotiations

 

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 IHHA Contract Negotiations Update
October 31, 2005

 

As of Monday, October 31, 2005, the IHHA negotiating committee has met a few times with track management to discuss the 2006 contract. We also have had informal discussions during visits to the tracks. Obviously, the major issue that is being discussed is recapture. The tracks were adamant about a change to our previous agreements which called for them waiving or deferring 80% of recapture. Since then there has been some discussion by management during the informal meetings that they were open to discuss some alternative ideas regarding recapture and purses. The IHHA negotiating committee plans to meet with them soon (possibly on Friday, Nov. 4th).

Keep checking the IHHA website for updates on the contract negotiations.

 

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IHHA Changes from 2004 to 2005 Contract

Balmoral & Maywood

 

1. Para 2A: Change takeout amount from $6300 to $6500 and prorate for cancelled races.

2. Para 2C, Para 10 & Exhibit A: Change free limit per stake from $12,000 to $10,000.

3. Para 3: Change 2005 reporting of 2004 year-end purse account.

4. Para 4 & Para 5: Recapture previously agreed to.

5. Para 7 & Para 8: Set 2005 daily interest rate to .0001096 (0.01096%).

6. Para 14: Clarify wording and allow for errors with respect to post 8 scratches at Maywood.

7. Para 19: IHHA to provide copies of certified annual audit to LICENSEES.

8. Para 23: Winners’ free video tapes must be picked up the night of the race with reasonable time allowed after last race.

9. Para 25: Restrictions on out-of-state trainers clarified and extended to owners.

10. Para 52: Modify grievance/arbitration procedures.

11. "LICENSEES shall provide an on track ambulance, during racing, which meets all requirements for transportation of injured or ill horsemen to off site hospitals. Determination of when to use on site ambulance for transportation and delay racing and when to call for another ambulance and delay transportation shall be made on a case by case basis." ADDED AS NEW PARAGRAPH 53

12. "LICENSEES shall provide an on track ambulance, during racing, which meets all requirements for transportation of injured or ill horsemen to off site hospitals. Determination of when to use on site ambulance for transportation and delay racing and when to call for another ambulance and delay transportation shall be made on a case by case basis." ADDED AS NEW PARAGRAPH 53

13. Exhibit A: Purse account money over $10,000 to specific stakes.

14. Exhibit B: Change purse structure to that which will be in effect on 1/1/05.

15. Exhibit B: Change non-counting fair race limit from $3000 to $2749.

16. All dates changed to be correct for contract year 2005.