Penn National card proceeds despite union walkout

An attempted work stoppage by valets and gate-crew members who are part of a disaffected union caused only a short delay in the Penn National card on Saturday night.

Members of the International Chapter of Journeymen Horseshoers and Allied Equine Trades, which began representing valets and gate crew members in February, attempted to disrupt the biggest card of the Penn National meeting, one featuring the Penn Mile and four other stakes, by refusing to work shortly before the program began at 6 p.m. Eastern.

According to Jose Vega, president of the union’s local chapter, the union believes Penn National hasn’t been negotiating in good faith over issues of pay and benefits.

But five gate crew members decided to continue working, and track officials brought in retired longtime starter Kenny Kennedy to serve as starter Saturday night, with regular starter Lindy Riggs moving to the position of assistant starter and heading up the gate crew. Several new crew members had to be recruited to man the gate on Saturday night.

Jockeys with mounts on the card voted to ride despite the attempted work stoppage, according to Penn National officials.

Chris McErlean, vice president of racing for Penn Gaming, Penn National’s parent company, said “there have been ongoing negotiations” with the union, and said he was “disappointed in the action they took tonight.”

--additional reporting by Jim Dunleavy