Authorities must fulfil their duty. Andrew Appleby responds to articles on the progress made towards improving conditions for stable staff.  Published in the Racing Post 30.11.04

I am pleased to see that Baroness Mallalieu reports encouraging progress towards implementation of the recommendations in the Donoghue Report (November 24).

The article mentions that the Stable Lads Association and the National Trainers' Federation are to discuss improvements in racecourse facilities with the Racecourse Association. An earlier article (November 19) reported Rupert Arnold as saying the NTF were "taking steps to help the SLA". Trainers, as employers, have a legal responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work; they also have a contractual obligation for the care of their owners' horses. Rather than secondary assistance, the NTF should be, and should have been, a prime mover in ensuring that facilities for horses and staff at racecourses are adequate, and hopefully, better than adequate.

The NTF appears to be taking the lead regarding wage agreements and it is reported that "pay negotiations are currently taking place". The SLA at present has only 150 members, but it will be taken as read that any wage agreements made between the SLA and NTF will apply to all staff - indeed such agreements are integral to most staff employment contracts. The Donoghue Report suggests a minimum overtime rate of "time and a half" - including travelling time, which currently stands at the derisory basic minimum rate.

There is somewhat of a flurry of talk of improvement and modernisation. I believe it is merely a question of those things being done which should have been done long ago - in the interest of horses, staff, owners and racing. The BHB and the Jockey Club must ensure that they and all parties do their duty.

ANDREW APPLEBY
Newmarket