Fourth Aqueduct Race Track bidder signs labor agreement

A fourth Aqueduct Race Track bidder has signed a labor peace agreement with the NY Hotel Trades Council, clearing one more obstacle in the bidding war to operate a giant racino at the track. Steve Wynn's agreement to allow contract arbitration with any union organizing the racetrack workers puts his company on equal footing with three other bidders who have reached labor agreements with the union.

The hotel workers' union has in the last year built a powerful political arm, organizing ground campaigns that successfully flipped the Senate in New York State and elected politicians like Senator Joe Addabbo. Addabbo's district includes the Aqueduct Race Track, and so far, four of six bidders have agreed to labor peace agreements with the HTC.

Odato, James M. Union deal aids Wynn racino bid. Times Union, October 9, 2009.
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