DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, hundreds of OTB workers urge Albany lawmakers "Stop the OTB lay-offs now"

Union calls for change in OTB revenue distribution formula to save jobs and protect State's racing industry.

(Albany, NY) - Today 300 members of DC 37 and its OTB Local 2021 held a Lobby Day in Albany calling on state lawmakers to act now to change the OTB revenue distribution formula, save jobs and protect the future of the racing industry in New York State.

New York City's Mayor Michael Bloomberg has threatened to close all NYC Off-Track Betting (OTB) offices in June 2008 because the City will not subsidize OTB's operation. The shut-down of OTB threatens the jobs of 1,508 hard-working NYC OTB employees, mostly members of DC 37 Local 2021. Health care benefits for OTB retirees are also at stake as are the jobs of 40,000 employees of the racing industry statewide.

Before the OTB employees met with their State Assembly members and Senators, DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts told the union members, "Approximately 40 percent of all the wagering on racing in New York State is done at New York City OTB. It is the backbone of the entire racing industry in this state. Without the survival of New York City OTB the $1 billion plus revenue that it generates would be lost. We need an immediate long-term solution to the problems that face OTB."

The OTB employees also were addressed by DC 37 Local 2021 President Leonard Allen, Director of the DC 37 Political Action and Legislation Wanda Williams, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, former DC 37 member and legislator Senator Diane Savino who represented Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senator John Sabini, ranking minority leader on the Senate Racing and Wagering Committee, Senator Marty Golden and Senate Chairman of the Racing and Wagering Committee Senator William J. Larkin, Jr.

DC 37 is New York City's largest public employee union, representing 125,000 members and 50,000 retirees.