Expect some ramped up action by locked out grounds crew members at Quilchena Golf and Country Club.
That's the message from their union representative who is pledging action to coincide with the club's annual men's tournament on May 11. Thomas McKenna, national representative with CUPE, said the 19 locked out employees have been without work for just over three months, and a contract since October 2011. They had hoped for a resolution as recently as Wednesday's scheduled round of bargaining talks.
But discussions stalled on contract language that would allow the employer to designate course maintenance work to employees other than those currently tasked with the jobs.
"We were essentially just words away from having an agreement," McKenna said.
Now, faced with a continued lock out, the workers and their union are formalizing plans to impact Quilchena's annual tournament.
McKenna declined to divulge exactly what that would entail, but added some of the efforts that may be increased would include leaflet-ting area neighbors on the lock out status, and bolstering the presence on the lock out line.
McKenna added that with the spring growing season here, and fewer staff to tend to it, the course is not in as good a shape as it could be. And that's added to the support from club members.
"We've noticed that more and more they've been pulling over as they drive in and rolling down their windows to talk with our members," McKenna said. Calls to Quilchena's management were not returned.
