Horseman's Union?

Question

What are your thoughts about a Horseman's Union.

Pro & Con ... ?

Answer 1

I think this is a great idea, at least in theory- whether or not it could ever become reality is another story, however. I think what you are asking about is some type of workers' union or labor organization, one that is designed to protect the rights of workers in the horse business, rather than just an organization which exists solely to promote a certain discipline or sport, the way many of the various associations do now. I whole heartedly agree with the idea of a labor organization being formed- indeed, such a move is WAY OVERDUE, if you ask me. I spent YEARS as a "working student" ( which is really just another way of saying that I worked as a glorified slave) and I know from bitter first hand experience what it's like to try to survive for months or years at a time on less than $ 400 a month, with no health insurance, benefits, or even workers' compensation. I LIVED THAT LIFE, and it was one of the things which ultimately drove me out of the industry, except as a hobby. Having a labor union which all horse industry employees can join, regardless of the type of discipline they are involved in, or the type of facility they work at, would be a GODSEND, because it would, among other things, force many of the fly by night, below the table employers out of business for good. Cnsdubie knows what I am talking about here, I am sure- I have no doubt she herself has experienced some of the brutal exploitation that the horse industry is famous for at some point in her life.

If workers in this business unionized and organized, then it would lead to a change in the culture that currently exists at a lot of places- one of "it's my way or the highway". It would also lead to an end to these arrangements where undocumented workers get paid below the table, but are forced to work long hours and live in wretched conditions, just so that the employers who own the farms can get a hefty tax break. I lived in California at one point, and I saw a lot of this type of thing there. I have also lived in numerous other states, on both coasts, and have seen problems of this sort happen again and again. I know what it's like to be FIRED, that's right, FIRED, for something as ridiculous as failing to roll a bandage the right way before storing it, or for forgetting to turn off a lightswitch. I have had this happen, and have seen it happen to other people I know. Labor unions perform a valuable service in helping to stop this kind of nonsense, as well as in keeping people who shouldn't be working anyway out of the workforce, such as young kids and teens, for example. Many working student type jobs involve employment and exploitation of young teen girls by professionals who should and indeed do know better. I am even aware of one pro from the Eventing world, who shall remain nameless, who charges his students TUITION of up to $2,000 for the privilege of WORKING FOR HIM for 6 months at a time !! If this isn't inappropriate exploitation, I don't know what is. HE should be PAYING THEM, not the other way around. If these kids were part of a union, or their parents were, you can bet this behavior would cease in short order. What happens to these kids if they make a mistake? They usually get FIRED- and since the great majority of them live on the farm where this pro is, once that happens, they are not only jobless, they are homeless as well. It's one thing to be unemployed- most of us can handle at least some of that, for a while- but to be without a job AND WITHOUT a place to live is a whole different ball game. Labor unions would help to stop some of this, by preventing the circumstances which lead to it.  But since there are no unions in the horse industry, at least not yet, this kind of thing goes on unchecked, and largely unnoticed.

Another thing having a labor union would do is force employers to pay workers a living wage, and allow them to have lives outside of work- something which doesn't exist AT ALL right now, on far too many farms and ranches. People who work with horses for a living are human too, and they have the same needs the rest of us do. They have a right to work reasonable hours, to be paid overtime when necessary, and to have vacations and holidays, just as workers in other industries and businesses do. Workers on ranches, on farms, at big show stables, etc, all have a right to other benefits as well, such as health insurance, sick leave, bereavement leave when a loved one or family member dies and they must attend a funeral for that person, maternity leave in the case of women, and of course, disability leave and insurance in case of injuries or illness. I can't tell you the numbers of times I have been on places where people were not even allowed to go to a loved one's funeral when that person died !! The prevailing attitude among the employers at a lot of these places is " Your loved one died- tough sh*t. Suck it up and deal with it, and don't come complaining to me about it, or I'll show you the road." This is a revolting, sickening attitude- but it is the current culture right now. If workers were part of a union, it would at least give them the option of asking for leave to go to a funeral without fear of losing their job. As it is, at many of the places I worked at, if you attempted to do this, then you were told that you wouldn't be coming back, period. Sad, I know, but very true. A similar thing happens to people who get hurt or sick on the job, often as a result of the work itself, or something related to it. Providing coverage for people who are out sick or away on leave should be the employer's responsibility, but at too many places, it's the WORKER who has to make arrangements for time off- and at certain times of the year, if anyone tries to take leave without asking permission and scheduling it well in advance, that person will lose his or her job in short order. I had one employer tell me that there are no 40 hour weeks in the horse business once- and for some people, that is undoubtedly true. But it doesn't have to be that way, and it's wrong for employers to force workers to cater to their lifestyles at the expense of their own lives and families. Slavery was outlawed centuries ago, but try telling that to the owners of some of the horse farms I have been on or worked at. You couldn't prove it by what they do, or by their attitudes towards their workers, which are usually pretty s**+*tty.

Now, I know I have had some bad experiences, and have seen the very worst side of this business- but in a way, I think that's actually good, because it gives me a clear understanding of just how cutthroat and cruel the horse industry can be, at least here in the USA. I left the business for good a number of years ago, though I still ride and keep a horse as a hobby, because of the emotional and financial abuse and exploitation I kept experiencing. I also generally make a point of discouraging the young teen and college age girls I know from going into the business, because it is only going to lead them down the same path I traveled- and they won't like it any better than I did. Until people who work at the lowest levels of the industry- the stall cleaners, grooms, and the like- start revolting against the abusive practices which exist, then I don't see things changing much any time soon.

This is just my thinking and these are my experiences.

To Galloppa: The nursing profession has little if anything do with the horse world, so I don't really think comparing the two is very fair. Also, what you experienced in the 70's isn't necessarily true today- and having a labor union in the horse business would do far more than just provide accountability- it might actually save some lives. There is nothing wrong with the idea of requiring licensing and state regulation of farms, ranches, and the like, and with forcing the below the board, fly by night employers out of business for good, because these are the people who typically are the worst offenders when it comes to worker abuse, more often than not. Having rules about air quality, fire safety regulations, etc, is a good thing, not a bad one- I have been to a lot of places where unsafe or dangerous conditions existed, but people were either unaware of them, or if they knew, there was always some excuse as to why they never corrected them. Having to obey state regulations or face the consequences would change that, and I am in favor of it. Unions provide the means for that end.

Answer 2

I was a part of collective bargaining back in the 70s when unions were scouting nurses to vote union.  With unions comes far greater accountability.  Things to consider:

Fair wage for workers

Liability cost for worker safety and injury

Liability cost for horse safety and injury

Liability cost for boarder safety and injury

Cost of benefits for workers, days off, sick pay, disability, etc.

Standards for riding instructors and trainers; possible state licensure requirements

Regulation of trails, arenas, other riding areas

Regulation of buildings, fences, stalls, fire hazards, air quality in the barns, property maintenance, etc.

I can't think of any more right now, but the point is this:  what is to be gained that could offset the fact that the money just isn't there in this industry to make unionizing beneficial. Many if not most would be forced out of business and nobody really wins anything.

Answer 3

Starlight - you are so right and it is exactly the same here in the UK.

As a matter of fact we have a situation where stall cleaning etc is actually considered an integral part of an Equine college course  - they can stay over to do this but they have to pay for the privilege( £25 a week for the joys of sweeping stalls or you don't get a pass certificate  - travelling in is an option but oddly enough the college bus does not run at that time of the morning or night and never at the weekends. Also they are required to do 10 weeks "industry experience" this also is unpaid. A lot of the girls attempting to pay their way through college have lost their jobs because of these inflexible arrangements.

A basic union would also bring about a standardisation of safe work practices - I have seen people struggling up ramps with huge wheelbarrows and carrying bales of shavings on their backs - hardly health and safety at work is it - but of course they can't complain because their employers will just find someone else who is willing to put up with that treatment.

Answer 4

What purpose would it serve?

I ask b/c there are already many different affiliations and organizations that are breed or discipline specific.  What's your vision for this?  To unify them all under one organization?

Tell us more details of your idea.  The only problem I can see is coming up with a consensus that a wide slice of the horse world could agree upon.  We tend to be an opinionated, argumentative bunch.  Just read y/a, lol.