Lowry Involved With Union And Auburn Track Officials

Labor leaders hope the threat of a boycott by union members will force officials of the new Emerald Downs racetrack to negotiate with them.

Union leaders say their members will picket the Auburn track, which is scheduled to open next Thursday, if management refuses to bargain.

Gov. Mike Lowry, taking time out from a two-day conference in Tacoma on the state’s child welfare agency, on Tuesday met with track officials and leaders of two unions in an attempt to defuse the dispute. Lowry spent 2 hours with Ron Crockett, president and manager of Northwest Racing Associates, which owns Emerald Downs, and the leaders of two unions - John A. Williams of Teamsters Local 117 and Joseph Massimino of Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 8.

Lowry’s office on Wednesday declined to comment on what was discussed.

Crockett, however, said the meeting served as “an educational process” for the governor.

“He understands both sides pretty well now,” Crockett said. “He was very balanced in his questions and his comments.”

But, Crockett added, “nothing the unions said today changed our thoughts, and I suspect nothing we said changed the unions’ thoughts.”

Ron Judd, president of the King County Labor Council, sat in on the meeting along with Williams and Massimino. He said afterward that even though no further meetings were scheduled, there was still “a glimmer of hope” the two sides could reach an agreement.