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The BHB through Peter Savill’s copyright action against William Hill
started in March 1999 over its database rights. Now in the wake of its landmark
High Court Victory The Times on Saturday February 10th 2001 report from Alan Lee
Racing Correspondent “Racing has struck a significant early blow in what is
destined to be a prolonged scrap with the bookmakers over the future funding of
the sport. This is a result of incalculable importance to racing’s finances. I
understand that all the leading bookmakers, not just the company defeated in
court, may be found to owe the BHB almost two years in back payments for use of
such information.” Peter Savill said “ It will also assist us in negotiating
licences and payment from the many bookmakers who have so far refused to enter
into licenses with BHB.”
Head grooms withdraw complaint over Adams
Published: 05/01/2004 (News) HOWARD WRIGHT
FIVE senior travelling head grooms based in Newmarket, who lodged an official
complaint against Bill Adams, the Stable Lads' Association national secretary,
have abandoned their action, which was aimed at removing Adams from the position
he has held for 17 years. A statement drawn up by the five - Roy Thorpe (who
works for Michael Bell), Ian Willows (Luca Cumani), Alison West (Sir Mark
Prescott), Brian Stevens (Geoff Wragg) and Steve Carroll (Sir Michael Stoute) -
was signed on New Year's Eve and released yesterday.
The document says that "having now had the opportunity to discuss the
issues at hand with Mr W Adams and having taken note that the correct procedures
on admini-stration are now in place, and are an ongoing programme", the
five signatories wished to withdraw their initial complaint. It adds: "We
are aware and acknowledge that we have, by prior appointment, an open invitation
to inspect all membership data, past and present, held in written form and
computer data at the [SLA] head office."
The original complaint was penned by Andrew Appleby, a horsebox driver based in
Newmarket, who according to SLA records has never been a member of the
association. As well as seeking a special general meeting, the complaint
contained a number of allegations against Adams, including that he had failed to
keep a proper register of members and had not taken adequate steps to send out
notices of meetings or elections.
The statement issued yesterday said that, while four of the signatories had
declined the offer of an opportunity to inspect the SLA's books at its
Derbyshire HQ "on the basis of work load", Carroll had had the
necessary evidence presented to him by Adams. Adams said: "As far as I'm
concerned, the matter is over. I bear no grudges against the five people who
signed the original complaint, because I'm sure they didn't really appreciate
what they were signing. "They've seen or heard the evidence now, and the
statement they have signed says it all. "I need space now to carry on
bringing the Association's records and administration up to date in accordance
with the new systems we are operating, as well as getting on with the normal
business."
Membership of the SLA, which reached a peak of about 350 under its previous
voluntary status, has recently been changed to an opt-out system, under which
stable staff become members automatically unless they indicate otherwise.The new
system, approved by the BHB, which provides funds for the SLA, is currently
being put into practice and will probably involve around 3,000 people. Adams
said he expected the administration changes to be completed within a month.
Horsebox driver vows to fight on against Adams
Published: 07/01/2004 (News) Seb Vance
THE man behind the vote of no confidence in Stable Lads' Association leader
Bill Adams vowed to fight on, despite the official complaint being withdrawn
this week, writes Seb Vance.
Newmarket-based horsebox driver Andrew Appleby instigated the complaint, which
was signed by five senior travelling head grooms. However, the five have
abandoned their action, which was aimed at removing Adams from the position he
has held for the last 17 years. Appleby said: "It's a long road but I never
lie down. I can't say any more at the moment but it's a ridiculous
situation."
The complaint included allegations that Adams has failed to keep a proper
register of members, not sent out membership cards or rule books, not taken
adequate steps to send out notices of meetings or elections, and that he has
been awarded pay increases without proper ratification by the members.
It was signed by Roy Thorpe (employed by Michael Bell), Ian Willows (Luca Cumani),
Alison West (Sir Mark Prescott), Brian Stevens (Geoff Wragg) and Steve Carroll
(Sir Michael Stoute). However, the five released a statement that said:
"Having now had the opportunity to discuss the issues at hand with Mr W
Adams, the five signatories wished to withdraw their initial complaint."
Letters: Does anyone know the date of the SLA meeting?
Published: 29/02/2004 (Comment) Andrew Appleby
Andrew Appleby says one of racing's key questions remains unanswered WITH
Cheltenham, Aintree and the Dubai World Cup looming, many of racing's big
questions will soon be answered - but there remains the Stable Lads' Association
conundrum.
Does anyone know the date, venue and time of the annual general meeting of
the SLA - or will it be missing from the calendar, as in years past? Not holding
an agm is, of course, contrary to law, the SLA rules and the dictionary
definition of `annual' - let alone `general' and `meeting'. Perhaps Bill Adams,
Lord Oaksey or Jimmy Hill knows the answer?
ANDREW APPLEBY
Newmarket
Adams's attitude is detrimental
Published: 13/06/2004 (Comment) Andrew Appleby
Andrew Appleby also takes Bill Adams to task THE response of Bill Adams to
the BHB commission's
report shows scant respect for stable staff or the BHB commission. He pours
scorn on the 15 per cent response to the questionnaire, but the 645 who
responded are 645 more than have ever voted for Adams, who - contrary to trade
union law - has never been elected Stable Lads' Association national secretary.
He says it is "too early" to consider TUC affiliation - yet the SLA
has existed for 26 years!
He says he is "bemused" by calls to modernise the SLA, but appears to
confuse this with a call for extra offices and personnel. Rather than
modernisation, I believe the need is simply for better administration and
personal time management.
Communication is a prerequisite for a trade union secretary. The report
mentioned that almost none of the 645 respondents had received any communication
from the SLA, which would include no notice of annual meetings or elections (of
which there have been next to none). Further, some 28 per cent seemed blissfully
unaware of the SLA or Bill Adams. I would suggest that Gerry McCann, as
chairman, should convene a meeting of the SLA committee to consider the position
of their employee and the possibility of perhaps having an annual meeting this
year. Adams's attitude suggests that his possible attendance as a member of the
proposed Stable and Stud Staff Committee would be detrimental to stable staff
interests. I am sure most stable staff are grateful for the initiative of the
Racing Post and the work of the commission.
ANDREW APPLEBY
Newmarket
SLA chief Adams dragging his feet
Published: 02/07/2004 (News) ANDREW APPLEBY
Andrew Appleby is frustrated at the delay over union membership for stable
staff BILL ADAMS has known for well over a year that the Certification Office
requires Stable Lads' Association members to apply to join the union. He has not
sent out membership applications nor organised an AGM in that time, yet stands
in mock indignation that his work is being hampered. Perhaps he considers such
basic work a waste of time and money?
There is no need to have a plethora of SLA offices. With modern
communications, the head office could be in Timbuctoo. The fact is that Bill has
failed to communicate. I would agree with Bill that rushing is not a good thing,
but how long will it take him to regularise the membership situation and how
long will the BHB continue to fund the SLA while it officially represents
perhaps only 3 per cent of stable staff?
ANDREW APPLEBY Newmarket
Allotment body
Published: 08/07/2004 (Comment) ANDREW APPLEBY
more democratic
Andrew Appleby on the workings of the Stable Lads' Association
A TRADE UNION is a group of employees whose object is to protect and promote
their common interests. It might be called an association, club or society -
but, in law, it is a trade union. A trade union may be listed with the
Certification Office or not listed. To delist a trade union would normally
require the consensus of members - but, in the case of Bill Adams's Stable Lads'
Association, who would know?
A trade union, in law, cannot be a company - although Bill Adams may hanker
to be a director.It has been suggested to me that the Newmarket Allotment
Association is more democratic than the SLA - it does have AGMs and committee
meetings. I expect it also has an efficient secretary, committee and trustees.
There was supposed to have been a SLA AGM in March this year, but it was
reputedly cancelled as Bill Adams was unwell. Presumably he knew in advance that
he would be unwell, otherwise the 150 or 3,000-odd members would have received
notices of the AGM in February.
I would not suggest that anyone should await the announcement of a date for a
SLA AGM with bated breath.
The affairs of the SLA seem unduly complicated.
ANDREW APPLEBY
Newmarket
Stable staff urged to back new union to replace SLA
Published: 23/07/2004 (Sport) DAVID ASHFORTH
TEXT messages are at the centre of an initiative to replace the Stable Lads'
Association with a new trade union. Andrew Appleby, a Newmarket-based horsebox
driver, yesterday urged stable staff to use their mobile phones to text their
support. In a letter to the Racing Post, Appleby wrote: 'I would be grateful if
all stable staff interested in joining an alternative union to the SLA would
text 'Union Yes' to 80010, or e-mail me at appleby1352@aol.com, or write to me
at 3 St Albans, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 7AJ. Please do not leave it to everyone
else.' The text messages are being managed by Fastsms, an advanced messaging
company.
Appleby, a vocal critic of the SLA and, in particular, of the leadership of
Bill Adams, its national secretary, said: 'Every week is another week when
stable staff are not being properly represented. It is in the best interests of
owners, trainers and the racing industry that good staff are recruited and
retained. 'This will not happen unless good remuneration, working conditions and
practices are established. We are all in partnership, together with the BHB,
Jockey Club and other organisations, to produce good racing. 'The purpose of a
trade union is to protect and promote the common interests of its members. It
need not be aggressive. The objects of a new union would be the same as those
which the SLA has failed to provide but it would be more efficient, effective
and democratic.'
Appleby has offered to act as temporary secretary of a new union, which could
have branches in various training centres.
The report of the Donoughue Commission on Stable and Stud Staff, published
last month, concluded: 'In order to become a modern trade union, capable of
adequately representing staff, the SLA should reform its structure and
activities. 'The services currently provided are inadequate for the require-
ments of its members, and the SLA needs to modernise.' The report suggested that
the BHB work with the SLA to review its organisation, establish succession for
Adams, and plan the creation of a modern trade union.
It called on the SLA to consider affiliation with the TUC and 'association
with a properly resourced modern trade union', and added that, if the BHB was
not satisfied that a reformed SLA was capable of effectively representing its
members, the funding currently supplied by the BHB should be withdrawn.
A recent return showed that a large part of the increased funding supplied by
the BHB since 2001 had not been spent on improving the SLA's operation, but kept
in the bank. The SLA has recently indicated that it is considering
de-registering as a trade union, following the Trade Union Certification
Office's ruling that only 150 stable staff, out of more than 3,000, can be
officially regarded as members, because of a failure to comply with membership
requirements.
Stable staff need to decide on union Andrew Appleby asks all stable staff to
respond to alternative union proposal
Published: 23/07/2004 (Sport)
I WOULD be grateful if all stable staff interested in joining an alternative
union to the Stable Lads' Association would text 'Union Yes' to 80010, email me
at appleby1352@aol.com or write to me at 3 St. Albans, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8
7AJ.
Those not be interested in such a union can text 'Union No' to the same
number. The cost of a text vote is at standard rates. I would hope that a new
union could offer free membership, with staff free to join - and free to leave -
the union. I would emphasise that stable staff interested in a new union should
text, email or write immediately. Please do not leave it to everyone else. I
hope to hear from everyone.
ANDREW APPLEBY Newmarket
Renewed calls for Adams to step down
Senior grooms put pressure on stable lads' leader
Published: 12/08/2004 (Sport) DAVID ASHFORTH
A GROUP of senior stable staff led by Ian Willows, Luca Cumani's travelling
head groom, have appealed to Bill Adams to quit as national secretary of the
Stable Lads' Association.
The appeal to Adams is contained in a letter signed by Willows and supported by
four other travelling head grooms - Roy Thorpe (Michael Bell's yard), Alison
West (Sir Mark Prescott), Brian Stephens (Geoff Wragg) and Steve Carroll (Sir
Michael Stoute). Last December, the same group lodged a complaint about Adams'
leadership. After talks with Adams, they agreed to withdraw their complaint but
put the national secretary on 'probation'. Since then the matter has taken on
extra urgency. The Donoughue report on stable and stud staff was published in
June and urged the need for the SLA to modernise, 'to establish succession for
the current secretary', and to seek independent advice on the creation of a
modern trade union. Moreover, Andrew Appleby, a horse transporter based in
Newmarket, has emerged as a vocal critic of Adams' leadership. He recently
conducted a mobile phone text poll to gauge support for a new union, with more
than 150 staff registering their support.
The letter from the grooms reads: 'Back in January we agreed to withdraw a
no-confidence vote in you as national secretary of the SLA on the understanding
that you would get out and about and meet your members.
'In view of the Donoughue report and your continued non-appearance, we think
that you should consider retirement or work alongside Mr Appleby, who is
obviously keen to do the job.
'We see no point in having two unions working against each other but we also
loathe instigating a no-confidence motion in yourself. Can we, therefore, please
try to settle this matter as soon as possible in order that the SLA strengthens
and can make a meaningful input into the racing industry for the benefit of its
members?'
Willows said yesterday that he wanted to see the SLA 'strengthened and
improved'. He added: 'Nobody knows Adams or sees him - to most staff he's just a
name in the newspaper. People say, who is he? When we met before, our parting
plea was that he must get out and meet people, be at the big race meetings. We
implored him, but it hasn't happened. 'Especially with the Donoughue report, we
have got to be going forward and become stronger. Personally, I wouldn't want to
go the T&G [Transport & General Workers' Union] way. I don't want to go
through another 1975 strike and I don't want to see us split.' Thorpe, speaking
in a similar vein, said: 'When we met Adams we gave him six months to get out
and about, because people have never seen him. Nothing happened, so I'm afraid
we have had to take this step. 'We need someone to go round the courses,
introduce themselves, discuss problems. For instance, we have an issue with
racecourses' refusal to provide ties for buckets in stables. It might seem a
trivial thing but it is not trivial for us. If a bucket can't be secured, a
horse can knock it over and be without a drink, perhaps all night. That's the
sort of thing the SLA should be pursuing.' Adams, 66, who has been the SLA's
national secretary since 1986, said: 'They are the first five people to have
complained. I have spoken to two of them on my mobile and will be meeting them
next week.'
Asked about the suggestions that he retire, Adams said: 'It is between me and
them. It is nothing to do with the Racing Post. End of story.'Appleby said: 'I
wish to make it clear that I would not be willing to work with Bill Adams. If
the post of national secretary of the SLA became vacant I would be willing to be
temporary secretary, pending election. I would expect to regularise the SLA
membership within a month and organise a general meeting within two to three
months.'
T&G target stable and stud staff in recruitment campaign
Published: 12/08/2004 (Sport) David Ashforth
THE Transport and General Workers' Union is planning a national recruiting
campaign among stable and stud staff, writes David Ashforth. The initiative has
been taken by Maggie Bremner, who worked as a groom for Paul Cole for about
eight years until leaving racing in 1999 and is now secretary of the North
Newbury branch of the T&G, involved with agricultural workers. Bremner said:
'I am in contact with other T&G members and we are planning a national
recruitment drive. I originally approached Bill Adams at the Stable Lads'
Association, offering to help. He asked me to write to him, which I did, but I
received no reply. 'The SLA - the title is not exactly politically correct - is
a sort of bosses' organisation. It seems to have the will to appease them rather
than help staff. The only way stable staff are going to get a proper union with
proper services is through the T&G. 'We will support and encourage staff to
give them self-respect and confidence. It has got to be their union. We would
gradually build up a network of representatives in workplaces. The biggest
hurdle is to make sure that staff are aware of their rights and not afraid to
assert them. Health and Safety is a big issue, as is education, and staff coming
from other countries to work in racing need to be sure of good treatment. 'The
T&G has obtained good terms and conditions for RaceTech's staff and for Tote
staff at racecourses, and it can achieve the same for stable and stud staff.'
Bremner is due next week to meet Andrew Appleby, a campaigner for the reform of
the SLA.
Letter: I propose a new stable staff union
Andrew Appleby asks trainers to play their part in the proposed venture
Published: 25/08/2004 (Sport) ANDREW APPLEBY
I HAVE just posted letters to members of the National Trainers' Federation
(574 in number) containing details of a proposed new union for stable staff. I
would be grateful if all trainers would endeavour that all staff have a chance
to read what I have written and thus decide whether they would like to join such
a union. It would surely, I suggest, be inequitable for any member of the
trainers' 'union' to deny their staff the opportunity to enjoy the same
privileges of similar membership. I believe that if all - or certainly the
majority - of stable staff belong to one union life would be easier for all of
us - and the racing experience would become even more enjoyable and satisfying.
ANDREW APPLEBY Newmarket
LETTERS: How can Lady Burnham defend the SLA?
Andrew Appleby, in the process of trying to establish a rival to the Stable
Lads' Association, responds to Lady Hilary Burnham
Published: 22/09/2004 (Sport) ANDREW APPLEBY
LADY B, you cannot be serious! Are you condoning an association - the Stable
Lads' Association - that ignores its members, has no AGMs, few committee
meetings, an unelected committee and an unelected national secretary (Letters,
September 14)?
The SLA has been in existence for 29 years, 26 as a listed trade union, and Bill
Adams has been national secretary for 18 but should have stood for re-election
at least every five years.
The BHB, in 2001, granted funding to the SLA of around pounds 100,000 a year and
rising, on the understanding that the SLA would offer free membership to all
stable staff.
The SLA annual returns showed a leap from 370 members in 2000 to 3,432 in 2001
to 3,776 in 2002 - but last year Adams 'lost' 3,626 members.
Lady Burnham writes that each week, on average, ten to 15 complaints are sorted
out and advice given to 20 to 40 callers per week - which must mean that some
2,000 stable staff have problems each year. Are these matters sorted to Adams'
satisfaction or the satisfaction of the complainants and callers? I do not
believe it is the latter.
It is not surprising to me that the Irish stable staff agreement mirrors that
between the SLA and the National Trainers' Federation. This agreement was in the
Dono-ghue Commission report, which I gave to Dan Kirwan at The Curragh a while
back.
However, it is all very well making agreements but not much use if they are not
implemented. In the case of recent SLA/NTF agreements, Adams has had no mandate
from stable staff to act on their behalf.
A key difference between the Irish and British agreements is that travelling
overtime is paid at more than the basic minimum rate in Ireland.
The big difference between the Irish Stable Staff Association and the SLA is
that Kirwan has achieved more in a few years than Adams has in 18.
I would agree that 'it is ultimately for the stable staff themselves to state
what they want and how they are going to achieve it'.
Does Lady Burnham agree that regularisation of the SLA membership and the
occasional AGM might help?
Does she not consider that this should have been achieved ages ago?
Does she not consider that the failure by Adams to achieve these basic goals is
unacceptable?
Would she not agree that racing has a number of problems, including staffing
problems?
They can, of course, be swept under the carpet but, in line with the modern
penchant for wooden flooring, it is better and healthier not to.
The staffing problems, I believe, relate directly to the poor representation of
stable staff. Aside from Racing Welfare, staff are not represented on the
Mallalieu Committee nor, as with jockeys, on the BHB committee - but the NTF,
Racecourse Association and Thoroughbred Breeders' Association are.
Lady Burnham accuses the Racing Post of witch-hunting and mentions job-seeking
motives.
I believe the Racing Post is doing for stable staff what the Jockey Club and BHB
appear to have avoided doing for many years - acting positively in the best
interests of racing.
As for job-seeking. Yes! If staff would like me to act as temporary secretary of
the SLA or a new union, pending election, I would be happy to do so.
ANDREW APPLEBY Newmarket
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
PRESS RELEASE 25.12.04
Views and News of British horseracing
Turfcall enters its fifth year with a revamp of its complete web site.
To enable followers of British Horse Racing to better express their views
and comments on the highs and lows of the governing bodies that control and
license the sport.
J. Margaret Clarke the founder of the site stated "With the imbalance
between the number of staff and horse in training the everyday follower of
Racing needs to know these bodies need to be held responsible for their
mistakes".
For further information please contact J. Margaret Clarke at info@turfcall.co.uk
ROLLING TEXT 25.12.04 to 14.01.05
Is there a CONSPIRACY TO DEFRAUD OR MISLEAD against the British Jockey Club
Regulators over four decades of licensing trainers without paying due care &
attention to all the personnel who go to make up each trainer's team?
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