Photo:

Jason Moran / Eclipse Sportswire

The beginning of Sunday’s card at Aqueduct was delayed as part of a demonstration by valets and jockeys to support the union status of one of the valets.

Valet and laundry person Fernando Rivera was told not to come into work Sunday by the New York Racing Association, according to a report from David Grening of Daily Racing Form, who cited longtime valet Harry Rice. Rice told DRF that Rivera is close to having enough hours to join the union, which would make him eligible for employee benefits.

The delay lasted 14 minutes, until NYRA said that it would call Rivera in to work Sunday. Rice told DRF that the valets want the issue with Rivera’s union status addressed for when racing at Aqueduct resumes on Dec. 27.

There have been ongoing issues between NYRA and Teamsters Union Local 814, who represents a group of racetrack workers. Valets in Local 814 have been working without a contract since December 2023. Though the track and union agreed over six months ago to bring in a federal mediator, the parties have not signed a new contract.