Approximately 30 workers at Nico Wynd Golf Course entered their second month on strike, as their employer continues to refuse to resolve basic workplace issues involving seniority rights, payroll issues, cost of living increases, and workplace harassment.
“I have a mortgage, I have a family, I have a son,” said Mike Graveling, a Nico Wynd groundskeeper. “I’ve been coming here for 20 years. I come here for a reason. I love the people, I love the job. I just want to get back to work.”
The striking employees – including groundskeepers, restaurant servers and cooks, and a pro-shop clerk – have been on the picket line since October 1. Their demands include protecting hard-won seniority and seasonal rights, ensuring workers are paid accurately and on time, fair pay increases, and addressing harassment in the workplace.
On Monday November 2nd, striking workers were joined on their picket line by nearly 200 people including representatives from more than 20 community organizations and Unions for a solidarity rally. Burnaby East MLA elect Rohini Arora also spoke at the rally calling for a fair agreement.
“These workers can’t wait any longer,” said Arora. “They’re just fighting for their basic rights. It’s time to get back to the table.”
The rally followed a serious incident on Saturday afternoon when a vehicle drove through the workers’ picket line, striking a SEIU Local 2 staff member who was subsequently taken to hospital. Several others, including Arora, who was present at the picket line, had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit.
BCFED Calls for Boycott
Later in the day, the BC Federation of Labour called for a boycott of the golf course.
In a media release, BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore said, “Declaring a boycott is a serious step to take, but this is a serious situation, and management clearly needs to feel the pressure to reach a fair deal without any further delay.”
Solidarity Picket Saturday November 7
A solidarity picket is being organized for Saturday November 7. Details will be available soon.
If you haven’t done so already, please sign the petition calling on Nico Wynd Golf Course to respect workers’ rights and negotiate a fair deal.
