06) NANAIMO GOLF CLUB WORKERS LOCKED OUT SINCE APRIL

 

By Alan Boyden, Nanaimo, BC

 

            Members of UNITE-HERE, Local 40, have been locked out at the Nanaimo Golf Club since April 24. Twenty-three highly competent, conscientious and hardworking employees have been walking a picket line on regular five shifts for over three months. In spite of all sorts of weather – including record breaking heat - their spirits remain high and their resolve is undiminished. 

 

            In addition to the challenging climate, the picket line, largely composed of women, has been subjected to vituperative (testosterone charged?) invective from a minority of golfers and the scabs. These sexist insults have been met with a solemn and disdainful silence, showing a remarkable restraint. This contrasts with their cheery smiles and waves to the vast majority, who honk car horns and wish them good luck. 

 

            The reactionary management of the Nanaimo Golf Club led by Ash Chadha has made no effort to resolve this dispute. From the start his intention was to break the union. In violation of the labour code he contacted scabs prior to the lockout.  This much Chadha admitted in court in June, according to Shelly Ervin, Financial Secretary Treasurer of Local 40, and observer Kayla. 

 

            July 16 saw a mass show of community support and union solidarity organized by the Nanaimo, Duncan and District Labour Council. Local 40 president Robert Demand and Shelly Ervin were joined by a large supportive group. This consisted of concerned citizens, NDP candidate Sheila Malcolmson, retired CUPE-BC president Barry O’Neill, and a wide range of active and retired unionists including steelworkers, hospital workers (HEU), teachers (BCTF), BCGEU, and Teamsters. Members of the Nanaimo Club of the Communist Party were there to back the courageous locked out workers. The show of support was covered by a CHEK-TV team. The positive atmosphere was in no way marred by a golfer who drove aggressively at one of the people supporting the picket. Fortunately no injury was sustained, but the incident served to highlight the potential dangers faced by the picketers. 

 

            The picketers are having an impact on the Golf Club’s business. The cancellation of banquets and wedding receptions, combined with reduced restaurant patronage, clearly show the feelings of the citizens of Nanaimo. This indicates that management is not only showing extremely poor judgment as an employer, but also demonstrating gross incompetence as a negotiator. The management of the Nanaimo Golf Club must realise that their excellent union employees, who have served them so well in the past, deserve a fair deal.  

 

            The locked out union workers continue their courageous vigil, united in the knowledge of community support, defiant and determined to win.

 

(The above article is from the August 1-31, 2015, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if he source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)