HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE >> Contract negotiations between the Hidden Valley Lake Association (HVLA) and a union representing the community’s golf course employees continue to sit in a holding pattern two months after the previous contract expired.
However, despite the union’s fears the employees would be locked out of the golf course upon the conclusion of the contract on Oct. 31, the association is continuing to operate under the past contract’s guidelines until a new agreement can be reached, according to HVLA Communications Specialist Jim Freeman.
In the meantime, multiple dates to negotiate have fallen through at the request of both sides. The last meeting took place Nov. 17 “but nothing concrete came out of that,” Freeman said.
Freeman added the association is awaiting a new set of dates from Laborers’ Local 324 Vice President George Griffin. But Griffin argues the union is waiting to receive meeting dates from the HVLA. Griffin describes the current situation as a stalemate while Freeman explains the negotiations have been on hold due to the holidays.
Each side’s issues continue to point blame on the other, perpetuating an seemingly endless cycle of he-said, she-said arguments. The union continues to contend the association has proposed an approximate $3.40 per hour cut in each employees’ wages and health and welfare benefits. The association argues they don’t want to make any wage cuts, but only request the employees contribute $1.95 per hour more toward their health and welfare packages.
Advertisement
The HVLA has also requested the contract include a provision allowing the association to terminate an employee if he or she is caught sleeping on the job while the union argues they do not take issue with such a stipulation.
Additionally, Griffin laments the association’s failure to provide certain financial information to the union although it has said it’s last offer was its “last, best and final offer.” Supposedly, an email from the association dated Dec. 2 and received at 4.39 p.m. said the union had until Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. to accept its proposal or the previous contract extension would expire.
Freeman negates the assertion though and said the association remains willing to negotiate further as the previous contract remains in place.
Griffin said the union is continuing to file unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) but Freeman contends the NLRB recently acknowledged the association was in fact bargaining in good faith.
Neither parties provided documentation of their assertions by press time.
