Hidden Valley Lake >> Threats, harassment, intimidation, discrimination and retaliation are just a few of the claims against the Hidden Valley Lake Association (HVLA) by union golf course workers.
A 22-page consolidated complaint and notice of hearing was filed on Monday by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a neutral party responsible for dealing with union/employer disputes.
The document contains more than 20 claims made by Laborers’ Local 324 workers who say the HVLA has been engaging in unfair labor practices as set forth by the National Labor Relations Act.
Troubles between the union and the HVLA first began when worker contract negotiations stalled last year. The contract first expired in October before getting an extension and expiring again in December. Frustrated by the lack of willingness to get back to bargaining, more than two dozen union workers and supporters went on strike without pay in late April and did so for about two months.
At the time, they had a case against the HVLA with 10 consolidated complaints, including general manager Cindy Spears allegedly threatening to fire employees in retaliation for union activities, suspending employees for their involvement and hiring seasonal workers to do union jobs.
NLRB representatives investigate each claim and give both parties the opportunity to present documentation and witnesses before filing a complaint, according to NLRB Supervisory Field Examiner Daniel Owens.
A hearing was scheduled to take place in Santa Rosa in June, but just days before the date, Spears signed a settlement agreement, on June 11, verifying that the homeowners association “understands and agrees that the allegations … will be deemed admitted,” according to the settlement.
The HVLA agreed to make nearly $2,000 in back payments for lost work to be divided amongst the employees, and both parties had to return to the negotiating table.
Union employees went back to work the following week, but the problems didn’t end there.
In the new case, multiple complaints involve surveillance issues by the HVLA. By doing so, the association was “interfering with, restraining and coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed” in the National Labor Relations Act.
Spears went as far as to harass and intimidate an employee at his home by taking photographs, according to the document.
Dave Chandler, golf course superintendent, and Jim Freeman, media director, were also named as having engaged in surveillance during the strike.
New cameras were installed near the roof of the HVLA’s Greenview Restaurant and an existing camera was moved to face the area where employees conducted union activities, the document alleges.
Around the time the union workers were set to go back to work, Chandler allegedly threatened to subject striking employees to more onerous working conditions once they returned. The HVLA did just that from about June 15 to June 17, according to the case document, which led to the termination of an employee.
The HVLA allegedly changed the work schedules and set forth new production standards. Additionally, it has continued to hire seasonal workers to do the work of union laborers. From April 10 to 21, seasonal employees did the work of at least 15 union workers. The so-called “Beautification Committee,” consisting of volunteers, has too done the work of union employees such as raking, hoeing, location marking and tree planting activities, according to the NLRB document.
And no new contract has been agreed upon.
The HVLA has until Sept. 14 to file an answer to the consolidated complaint. A hearing is scheduled to take place in Santa Rosa on Dec. 7.
