Golf club staff down tools

FRIDAY, MARCH 9: Up to 20 staff at Riddell’s Bay golf course and country club downed tools in a dispute over a fired waitress.

And BIU chief Chris Furbert yesterday accused the management at the club of “favouritism” in its treatment of non-union staff.

Mr Furbert said: “They are treating some staff one way and some other staff who are connected with the BIU another way and that’s unacceptable.”

The dispute boiled over on Wednesday when staff — between 10 and 12 on the catering side and six to eight ground staff — downed tools.

Mr Furbert said that grounds staff were also upset at getting their hours cut and estimated the striking food and beverage staff amounted to around 75 per cent of the workforce in that area.

He added: “It guess it all turns on the frustration about the way the management team is managing Riddell’s Bay at the moment.”

Last night union negotiators, Riddell’s Bay managers and representatives from the Department of Labour were locked in talks to break the deadlock.

Riddell’s Bay manager Dennis Paul said in a press statement that a food and beverage worker had been sacked during her probation.

But Mr Furbert countered that the staff member had worked at the recent high-profile gala event last month to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the club without comment.

The staffer, who has not been named, was on an extended probation period when she was fired.

Mr Paul, in a statement last night, confirmed the club was in a dispute with the BIU. He added: “Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club Ltd have a good faith relationship with the Bermuda Industrial Union which has existed for several years and we look forward to resolving this matter in accordance with customary and standard practices.

“We are, of course, disappointed that certain employees have taken it upon themselves to cease working prior to the completion of the customary grievance procedures — we will continue to meet with the labour relations officer and Bermuda Industrial Union representatives in order to reach a favourable resolution in a timely and satisfactory manner for all parties concerned.”

Mr Paul – other than to confirm that the club remained open for business with reduced staff — declined last night to comment further.