NEWS
Churchill announces reorganization of security staff
Posted: Monday, December 03, 2007 3:42 PM
by Pete Denk
Horsemen are concerned about Churchill Downs’s decision to disassemble its full-time security crew in favor of part-time or outsourced workers for the bulk of security work at the Louisville track, home to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
According to a release from the track on Monday, Churchill reorganized its security staff, outsourcing 34 positions.
Vester Green, 60, of Lexington, Indiana, was one of those who lost his job.
“They’re getting rid of all the liabilities of having their own security force. When they outsource us, they won’t be responsible for vacations, health insurance, vision, dental, and workman’s comp anymore,” Green said. “We’ve had people that have been here for more than 20 years. A lot of us are in our late 50s or early 60s, a little too young for Social Security.
“That’s the way it is in today’s business world. It’s all about the dollar.”
Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton and General Manager Jim Gates on November 30 referred all questions to Vice President of Communications Julie Koenig Loignon. Monday’s release said track officials would have no further comment on the changes.
According to the release, Churchill Downs will contract with Brantley Security Services for hourly security officers. Brantley has for more than ten years provided staffing for a number of seasonal jobs at the Louisville racetrack, including ushers and parking attendants.
Four members of the racetrack’s full-time, salaried security staff will remain with the company under the oversight of Director of Security Charles Stallworth.
Churchill Downs also will continue to contract with off-duty Louisville Metro Police officers to provide security at the track and at Trackside Louisville, the release said.
Employees affected by the reorganization have been offered severance packages and outplacement assistance and will have the opportunity to apply for jobs with Brantley.
“I’m not at liberty to say anything today. Everything will change a little bit next week,” Brantley President Jeremy Curran said on November 30. “We’ve worked the Derby since 1989, providing everything from event management to security work, ushers, parking attendants, ticket takers ... everything you can imagine from the event management side.”
Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, said he attempted to speak with Gates about the issue but was told Churchill officials do not discuss personnel issues.
“We heard about it, and I explained to Jim Gates that horsemen were concerned because the present security force is knowledgeable of horsemen and understands the industry, as opposed to people who might not be as familiar,” Maline said. “We’re not telling them who to hire and fire. We’re just telling them the potential problems of hiring a new security force who isn’t familiar with the backstretch community. There’s a lot of gray areas here, and everything isn’t in black and white.”
When Churchill applies for its annual racetrack license, it is required to inform the Kentucky Horse Racing Authority who will provide security. Authority Executive Director Lisa Underwood said Sexton told her on November 29 that Churchill’s legal team was analyzing whether any changes needed to be made to the information on file.
“Churchill thinks the change is in the personnel and not the structure or coverage level,” Underwood said. “They don’t believe their coverage levels will change.”
Pete Denk is a Thoroughbred Times staff writer
