{"id":77928,"date":"2026-07-31T18:18:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-31T22:18:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=77928"},"modified":"2026-07-31T18:18:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-31T22:18:25","slug":"genesee-county-union-employees-at-batavia-downs-say-they-are-at-impasse-informational-picket-held-on-friday-afternoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/31\/genesee-county-union-employees-at-batavia-downs-say-they-are-at-impasse-informational-picket-held-on-friday-afternoon\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Union employees at Batavia Downs say they are at impasse; Informational Picket held on Friday afternoon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-video\"><video height=\"1080\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1920 \/ 1080;\" width=\"1920\" controls src=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Downs-picket-mp4.mp4\"><\/video><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Video and interviews from Informational Picket outside of Batavia Downs on Friday afternoon.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Batavia Downs statement after Informational Picket on Friday: Danielle N. Fleming, Vice President- Human Resources WROTBC Batavia Downs Gaming<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How many employees are there in the UPSEU Local 1222? When did the previous labor agreement expire?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>There are 174 employees in the Batavia Downs Gaming unit, the previous collective bargaining agreement expired December 31, 2025.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Are the proposed wage increases of 3.5% for 2026 and 3.5% for the following two years acceptable in WROTB\u2019s view? Why or why not?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>The proposed 3.5% wage increases were included in WROTB&#8217;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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>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?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Employee contribution percentages under the previous collective bargaining agreement were 53% for employee\/spouse, 60% for employee\/child, and 72% for family enrollments.&nbsp;WROTB proposed employee contribution percentages of 20% for employee\/spouse, 20% for employee\/child, 20% for family enrollments for the new collective bargaining agreement.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>We believe our proposal reflects a fair and balanced approach to collective bargaining. We are looking to address employee compensation while maintaining WROTB&#8217;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.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What concessions has WROTB made in this proposal?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>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\u2019 gross wages.&nbsp;For 2025, eligible employees received gaming bonuses of up to $1,593.73. Under WROTB\u2019s 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\u2019s performance. The total increase to the Corporation\u2019s expense for the proposed 3-year contract with WROTB\u2019s 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\u2019s proposed 3.5% wage increases for 2026, 2027, and 2028 equals $21,380,316.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is the next step in negotiations? Are negotiations at an impasse right now?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>With the Union\u2019s declaration of impasse, the parties will now move to mediation with an Administrative Law Judge in September.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 There are 174 employees in the Batavia Downs Gaming unit, the previous collective bargaining agreement expired December 31, \u2026<\/p>\n<p class=\"continue-reading-button\"> <a class=\"continue-reading-link\" href=\"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/07\/31\/genesee-county-union-employees-at-batavia-downs-say-they-are-at-impasse-informational-picket-held-on-friday-afternoon\/\">Continue reading<i class=\"crycon-right-dir\"><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":77932,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8,23],"tags":[376,5997,5996],"class_list":["post-77928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-batavia","category-genesee-county","tag-batavia-downs","tag-informational-picket","tag-upseu"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-kgU","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":75596,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/batavia-batavia-downs-donates-concert-tickets-to-genesee-county-veterans\/","url_meta":{"origin":77928,"position":0},"title":"BATAVIA\/Batavia Downs donates concert tickets to Genesee County Veterans","author":"aka","date":"May 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Byron Brown, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel with new Board Chair Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney presented complimentary ticket to William Joyce, Director of the Genesee County Veterans Service Agency with WROTBC Board members on Thursday afternoon. Press release Tickets are for each of Batavia\u2019s 7 Summer Concert Series\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10952-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C694&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":36084,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2022\/09\/15\/genesee-county-batavia-downs-to-host-annual-breast-cancer-fundraiser-friday\/","url_meta":{"origin":77928,"position":1},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavia Downs to host annual breast cancer fundraiser Friday","author":"aka","date":"September 15, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"By Tim Bojarski, for Batavia Downs Batavia, NY --- Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel will be the site of the annual Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester fundraiser in the clubhouse at the track on Friday (Sept. 16). The event runs from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. with post time for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Genesee County&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BCCR-logo.jpg?fit=760%2C377&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BCCR-logo.jpg?fit=760%2C377&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BCCR-logo.jpg?fit=760%2C377&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/BCCR-logo.jpg?fit=760%2C377&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":69836,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/11\/07\/genesee-county-meeting-the-need-batavia-downs-community-action-partner-on-food-drive\/","url_meta":{"origin":77928,"position":2},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Meeting the need: Batavia Downs, Community Action partner on food drive","author":"aka","date":"November 7, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Taking part in a press conference on Friday morning announcing a food drive at Batavia Downs Gaming are, from left, Danielle Fleming, WROTB vice president of Human Resources; Ryan Hasenauer, WROTB vice president of Business Development; Kristina Ettinger, community services manager for Community Action of Orleans & Genesee; Ryan Lasal,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/food-drive-photo-1.jpg?fit=1050%2C604&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/food-drive-photo-1.jpg?fit=1050%2C604&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/food-drive-photo-1.jpg?fit=1050%2C604&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/food-drive-photo-1.jpg?fit=1050%2C604&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/food-drive-photo-1.jpg?fit=1050%2C604&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":26981,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/07\/22\/genesee-county-statewide-honors-for-batavia-downs-gaming\/","url_meta":{"origin":77928,"position":3},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Statewide honors for Batavia Downs Gaming","author":"aka","date":"July 22, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release Batavia Downs Gaming has been selected one of four statewide recipients of The Arc New York 2021 Employer of the Year Award, acknowledging the value of employing people with disabilities in their place of business. Arc of Genesee Orleans Director of Development Shelley Falitico explains, Batavia Downs has\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Genesee County&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Caleb_1667-B-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Caleb_1667-B-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Caleb_1667-B-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Caleb_1667-B-scaled.jpg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":63311,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/04\/04\/genesee-county-batavia-downs-donates-summer-concert-series-tickets-to-genesee-county-veterans\/","url_meta":{"origin":77928,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavia Downs donates summer concert series tickets to Genesee County veterans","author":"aka","date":"April 4, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"William Joyce, Director of the Genesee County Veterans Service Agency with Byron Brown, President and CEO of Batavia Downs Gaming and Hotel and Ryan Hasenauer Vice President of Business Development at Batavia Downs on Friday morningTickets are for each of Batavia\u2019s 8 Summer Concert Series Shows-1400 total tickets were donated\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Batavia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20250404_113821-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C691&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20250404_113821-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C691&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20250404_113821-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C691&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20250404_113821-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C691&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20250404_113821-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C691&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":62052,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/02\/22\/genesee-county-batavia-downs-to-hold-remembrance-ceremony-for-longtime-employees\/","url_meta":{"origin":77928,"position":5},"title":"GENESEE COUNTY\/Batavia Downs to hold remembrance ceremony for longtime employees","author":"aka","date":"February 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Western New York Harness Horseman\u2019s Association to donate $4,000 BATAVIA \u2013 Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel has announced\u00a0that on the last day of the winter meet, prior to racing at 3pm on Monday, February 24th, President & CEO Byron Brown is scheduled to be joined by Family Members and Employees\u2026","rel":"","context":"In 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