DC 37 demands lawmakers act now to save NYC OTB

Union leaders, workers and elected officials say, "It's down to the wire" and call on Governor,
State Legislature and the City to take swift action to save NYC OTB's 1,500 jobs and $1.1 billion

(New York, N.Y.) — DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, leader of New York's City's largest public employee union, and Leonard Allen, president of DC 37 Local 2021, which represents NYC OTB workers, stood with elected officials and other labor leaders on the steps of City Hall today demanding immediate action to save New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation before Mayor Bloomberg's announced Sunday, June 15 closing date.

Joining them were David Weprin, chair of the New York City Council Finance Committee, New York State AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes, Central Labor Council Executive Director Ed Ott, New York City Comptroller William Thompson, City Council members Charles Barron and Tish James, and Barbara Reda, president of Teamsters Local 858.

"We are five days away from the proposed shutting of NYC OTB and less than 48 hours before the legislature departs for the week. Time is running out!" declared Roberts.

"The Mayor's a responsible person, the State Legislature is responsible, and the Governor is responsible. They ought to be able to work out a solution to this problem," Roberts added, calling on all parties to roll up their sleeves and continue to dialogue to quickly reach a solution that is satisfactory to all parties. "If NYC OTB is allowed to close on Sunday, June 15, the city stands to lose an agency that generates $1.1 billion in handle, which amounts to 40% of state wagering revenues and a significant contribution to both city and state budgets." Underscoring the urgency Roberts added, "1,500 workers, many of whom belong to DC 37 Local 2021, also stand to lose their jobs, pensions and health insurance."

"Albany has to act now!" City Council Finance Committee Chair David Weprin said pointing out that NYC OTB is so successful that it has subsidized the rest of the OTB operations in the state. In addition, Weprin added "shutting OTB will hurt secondary and tertiary businesses and have a detrimental effect on the economy of the city and state."

Comptroller Bill Thompson pointed to a 2006 report by his office that indicated "the state continues to stick its hand further and further into the pocket of NYC OTB." Thompson said this year alone OTB may generate over $130 million in revenue. "Make no mistake, this is about greed," he said. "The state of New York views OTB as a cash cow and after everybody gets their cut NYC OTB now operates at a deficit. It's not fair to taxpayers of NYC to ask us to subsidize OTB and it's definitely not fair to 1,500 employees. The State of New York needs to resolve this situation immediately before 1,500 hard-working New Yorkers get laid off."

"This problem can be solved if there is a willingness to solve it," said NYS AFL-CIO President Denis Hughes, who urged state and city government to acknowledge the economic impact the loss of NYC OTB jobs and revenue would have. His sentiments were echoed by Central Labor Council Executive Director Ed Ott.

City Council member Charles Barron underscored the impact closing OTB would have on African Americans, Latinos, and other people of color saying, "This is not an issue of whether you believe in gambling or not. This is an issue of whether we want over $100 million annually for this city to do something with education and other vital services. Folks say unemployment is down. Where? Not in our neighborhoods."

City Councilmember Tish James lashed out at Mayor Bloomberg calling him "callous and insensitive" pointing to an increase in homelessness, poverty and worse saying, "Yet the Mayor of the City of New York wants to continue to provide funds to provide subsidies for luxury housing" but can't save OTB and save it now.

DC 37 Local 2021 President Lenny Allen responded to previous comments by Mayor Bloomberg criticizing his "calling OTB workers bookies" saying "this was not helpful language" and urged instead that everyone focus on "resolving this matter before the end of the week" because "the clock is ticking and the Mayor's June 15 deadline for closing NYC OTB is rapidly approaching."

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