Fabian "Tallyman" White, the long-serving leader of the Grooms' Association of Jamaica (GAJ), has reaffirmed his commitment to tackling key issues for his peers upon securing another term as president without opposition.
Since his return from Canada in 2014, where he worked at prominent race tracks such as Woodbine in Toronto and Fort Erie, White has played a pivotal role in advancing the interests of his fellow grooms.
In a recent media briefing held in the Trainers’ Room on Thursday, February 8, 2024, White highlighted the critical need for grooms to enjoy regular time off, something that has been elusive under the current seven-day work week structure.
"Our top priority is to abolish the seven-day work week. It's unsustainable to work every single day, including public holidays, without any additional compensation. It's essential that we secure time off for grooms," White stated.
Further compounding the grooms' challenges is the issue of opaque payment practices. White pointed out that trainers often neglect to provide grooms with a pay stub when issuing their salaries, a practice he insists must change.
"The absence of a pay stub with every salary payment from trainers is a significant problem that we are prepared to bring before the Jamaica Racing Commission. Pay slips are critical for all sorts of financial transactions, and it's high time this matter is resolved," he asserted.
White, reflecting on his re-election by acclamation for another three-year term, expressed his belief that his strong track record of advocacy has earned him the trust and support of his colleagues.
"I'm honored to continue serving as president, and it's clear that the grooms recognize the positive impact of our efforts by entrusting me with their representation once more. I believe that another salary increase is in order for the grooms, which is part of why they've chosen to maintain my leadership," White concluded.
