Belmont Park workers strike averted

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NEW YORK, June 6 (UPI) -- Workers at New York's Belmont Park racetrack said Wednesday they have averted a strike just three days before the Belmont Stakes Triple Crown horse race.

Vincent McElroen, financial secretary of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 3 union, said maintenance workers and starters at the track have reached a tentative contract agreement as I'll Have Another prepares his Triple Crown title attempt, CNN reported.

"We're happy we came to an agreement," he told the broadcaster. "The guys will be putting the horses in the gate this weekend."

The deal on wages and employee contributions to healthcare has been under negotiation with the New York Racing Association since 2010 and comes a week after workers voted to authorize a strike.

McElroen told CNN the timing of the strike vote was coincidental with the Belmont Stakes.

I'll Have Another Saturday will seek to become the first horse in 34 years to collect the Triple Crown of horse racing. The 3-year-old colt has already claimed victories at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes this spring.