MoveUP, the union that has represented workers at Hastings Racecourse since 1985, is urging the provincial government to halt their plan to terminate slot-machine revenue stream dedicated to horse racing and to work collaboratively with all appropriate parties to provide an opportunity for the industry to formulate a plan to preserve a historic, local industry and prevent the sudden and shocking job losses that would affect hundreds of workers, including unionized members of MoveUP.

An urgent response from government is needed with Hastings announcing today the cessation of horse racing at the facility effective immediately.

“This is a devastating and heartbreaking news for our 100+ members who work at Hastings Racecourse – from maintenance to security to casino operations – whose lives have been turned upside down since the BC government made their announcement to cut funding last week, and now with today’s news of Hastings ending horse racing,” said Annette Toth, president of MoveUP. “We’re demanding the provincial government to make things right before the point of no return.

“The fact that none of the stakeholders, including our union, was consulted before the funding cut was announced is extremely frustrating and insulting. It shows a tremendous lack of consideration for the people who have spent their lives invested in the horse racing community and the local community that benefits from the industry.”

MoveUP, then known as OTEU Local 378, led a coalition to conduct a major campaign in the early 2000s to Save the Track. Members of our union who worked at Hastings Racecourse back then even agreed to a 7.5% pay cut in order keep the industry afloat.

It was through the efforts of our union and the Save the Track coalition that slot machines were approved at Hastings, preserving not only the heritage and legacy of thoroughbred racing in Vancouver but saving hundreds of direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs, along with maintaining the economic benefits to the surrounding community.

“I married into four generations of race trackers. My son put himself through university by working at the racetrack,” said MoveUP member Lisa Russell, who has worked at the track since 1991. “There’s been a lot of people affected that have dedicated their lives to this industry. We are a family. We are a community, and that community has been dismantled with little to no notice for anybody.”