The Irish Stable Staff Association has agreed a new pay deal with the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association, which will see experienced stable staff's wages in Ireland rise from €9.75 per hour to €10.75 per hour.
Expenses for day meetings will also increase from €40 to €50 with expenses for evening meetings up from €50 to €60.
The new minimum pay rates will run from 1 January to 1 May 2019.
Agreement on pay and conditions follows extensive negotiations between the ISSA and the IRTA over the last number of months.
Carol Nolan, Horse Racing Ireland’s Director of People and Industry Education acted as a mediator throughout the discussions.
Although minimum terms and conditions of employment were established under the existing ‘Agricultural Workers Joint Labour Committee’ it was decided by both organisations that a separate agreement should be reached recognising the uniqueness of employment in the horse racing industry in Ireland.
The agreement does not prevent a trainer from paying more favourable terms and conditions at a local level ,which many trainers have in place already. However, this agreement prohibits any trainer licenced by the Turf Club in Ireland from paying less favourable terms.
Bernard Caldwell, Chairman of the Irish Stable Staff Association, commented: “After much negotiation, we have reached an agreement that our members are happy to accept.
"Pay and conditions needed to improve and this was understood by all parties. Our members are often described, and rightly so, as the backbone of the industry, but that needed to be recognised in real terms, which has now happened.”
Meanwhile, Paul Hensey has decided to leave his role at the Curragh Racecourse.
Hensey, who has been General Manager of the Curragh Racecourse and Training Grounds since 2002 and Director of Racing since May 2016, said: "I have been considering my future for some time and I believe the time is now right for me to seek new challenges.
“I have really enjoyed my time at the Curragh and I hope that my work has helped to lay the foundations for the major changes now underway. I have no doubt that the redeveloped Curragh will give Irish Racing a fitting venue to showcase this great sport of ours"
