Video and interviews from Informational Picket outside of Batavia Downs on Friday afternoon.
Batavia Downs statement after Informational Picket on Friday: Danielle N. Fleming, Vice President- Human Resources WROTBC Batavia Downs Gaming
- How many employees are there in the UPSEU Local 1222? When did the previous labor agreement expire?
There are 174 employees in the Batavia Downs Gaming unit, the previous collective bargaining agreement expired December 31, 2025.
- Are the proposed wage increases of 3.5% for 2026 and 3.5% for the following two years acceptable in WROTB’s view? Why or why not?
The proposed 3.5% wage increases were included in WROTB’s proposal because we believe they represent a competitive investment in our employees. In developing our proposal, we considered market conditions, regional compensation trends, and our long-term responsibilities as a public benefit corporation. In addition to the proposed wage increases, our offer included doubling the gaming bonus percentage under the contract. The gaming bonus is directly tied to the success of the gaming floor, and enhancing this incentive recognizes the important role that our employees play in the continued success of Batavia Downs Gaming and allows them to share in that success. See Question 5 for additional gaming bonus information.
- What changes to healthcare and health insurance are proposed? Is there any difference(s) from the previous labor agreement and if so, what is/are the differences?
Employee contribution percentages under the previous collective bargaining agreement were 53% for employee/spouse, 60% for employee/child, and 72% for family enrollments. WROTB proposed employee contribution percentages of 20% for employee/spouse, 20% for employee/child, 20% for family enrollments for the new collective bargaining agreement.
- We believe our proposal reflects a fair and balanced approach to collective bargaining. We are looking to address employee compensation while maintaining WROTB’s long-term financial stability and balancing our obligations to distribute revenue to our member municipalities. Throughout the negotiations, WROTB has made movement on its proposals in an effort to reach an agreement, and we believe continued progress will require both parties to remain open to compromise. We remain committed to working with the Union through the mediation process to reach a mutually acceptable agreement.
- What concessions has WROTB made in this proposal?
Increased shoe allowance from $50 annually to $75 annually, increased shift differential for Security Guards from $.25 per hour to $.40 per hour, an additional floating holiday for full-time employees, four hours of personal leave for seasonal employees who commit to returning for the winter live racing meet each year and doubling the gaming bonus incentive percentage from .22% to .44% of employees’ gross wages. For 2025, eligible employees received gaming bonuses of up to $1,593.73. Under WROTB’s proposal to double the gaming bonus percentage, if the gaming floor experienced the same level of growth in 2026, eligible employees could receive bonuses of up to $3,187.45. Actual bonus amounts would continue to depend on the facility’s performance. The total increase to the Corporation’s expense for the proposed 3-year contract with WROTB’s proposed 3.5% wage increases for 2026, 2027, and 2028 equals $849,602. The total cost of the proposed 3-year contract, including current expense, with WROTB’s proposed 3.5% wage increases for 2026, 2027, and 2028 equals $21,380,316.
- What is the next step in negotiations? Are negotiations at an impasse right now?
With the Union’s declaration of impasse, the parties will now move to mediation with an Administrative Law Judge in September.