The Alberni Golf Club has terminated all six of the seasonal groundskeepers as of April 20, 2026. The Club claims that the introduction of an automated mower – yet to be delivered – means that they no longer require any seasonal staff. The grounds crew now consists of only one mechanic and two groundskeepers.
“The idea of maintaining an eighteen-hole golf course in the peak season with only two groundskeepers is absolutely absurd,” says Carl Wagner, Alberni Golf Club mechanic of 14 years. “For years we’ve counted on at least four full-time seasonal workers for help keeping this course in excellent shape. The golfers are already noticing the decline in standards, and it’s only going to get worse.”
In previous years, Alberni Golf Club had recalled or hired four to six full-time seasonal employees starting in mid-March to work alongside the permanent staff throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons. This year, they claim that they will be able to maintain the grounds without any seasonal help, keeping only two groundskeepers for the entirety of the property. Given the amount of labour required to maintain an eighteen-hole golf course, this staffing decision is unheard of in the industry, where a grounds crew of seven to fifteen is standard.
“The board is showing a serious lack of compassion to loyal employees who have been returning year after year to take good care of this course,” says Chris Cormack, a seasonal employee of eight years who was terminated in April 2026.
When the Union alerted the Club that the mower will only perform a fraction of the work of the full-time seasonal staff, the Club responded that if it comes to that they will hire new seasonal staff if needed; seasonal staff who will start on probation with no seniority or recall rights. While acknowledging this very likely possibility, the Club refuses to maintain the seasonal staff on the seniority list. The Union says this is a blatant attempt to circumvent the hard-fought-for victories won on the picket line and in collective bargaining last year and avoid the employers’ responsibilities under the new collective agreement.
“These scorched-earth tactics are lose-lose. Groundskeepers get heavier workloads, golfers get poorer course conditions — and worst of all, seasonal workers lose their livelihoods.” says Hermender Singh Kailley, Secretary-Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour.
The introduction of one new piece of equipment does not justify the Club’s termination of the entire seasonal staff. The Club must stop its attacks on unionized staff and recognize and respect the seniority rights of its employees. In 2025, Alberni Golf Club was rated in the top 10 for hidden gem golf courses in all of Canada by GolfPass News. This would not be possible without the workers. The Union is calling on the Club to rescind the terminations and bring their employees back to work.
BACKGROUND
Six unionized seasonal workers were laid off after Labour Day, much earlier in the fall than the usual mid-October seasonal layoff. Most of them have been working at Alberni Golf Club for four to eight years. Then, in an unprecedented move, the Golf Club laid off the remaining three unionized full-time permanent employees on Tuesday, November 14.
On November 23, more than 50 community supporters joined unionized workers in a rally to say “no” to mass layoffs, and what the workers said was retaliation and an attempt to bust their Union. Workers also hosted an informational town hall meeting on December 8. The BC Federation of Labour called for a boycott of the club in early December.
In February 2026, the Employer notified the Union that it was acquiring an automated mower and therefore would not be recalling any seasonal employees. In past years, the Employer had recalled or hired four to six seasonal employees, starting around mid-March.
