So Unite Here, how is that city council resolution-thingy goin for ya? Is it helping?

The workers are not locked out, but "union workers" are locked out! You can go back anytime with a raise.

Our family moved out of the area a few years ago, we were members at Castlewood for several years before we moved. We returned a few weeks ago to attend a special event in the ballroom at Castlewood. I was amazed by how delicious the food was and the service was impecable, a great surprise after many years of unpredictable food and hit or miss service. The high level of service that should have been the norm at the Castlewood restaurants was severly lacking with a few exceptions by the wait staff for many years. Complaints about the food and service was always a topic of conversation amongst the membership. I was told that there were tons of applications for the open positions. The management has done a great job of hiring new staff, they actually did their jobs with a smile on their faces! Sorry to say, the union has only made these former employees hostile and unfairly entitled to outrageous benefits that are not realistic for part time food service workers. I predict they will not return, perhaps the union $'s should be spent assisting the members involved in finding new employment and retraining them on service techniques.

As for the City Council being involved, FYI, I noticed the traffic was still horrible in the afternoon on the streets of Pleasantion and there seems to be a lot of empty storefronts on Main St. as well as throughout Pleasanton. I did not however see that the city limits sign had been moved to include Castlewood Country Club within the city of Pleasanton!

The union has not been good nor fair to their members.

Early on in the discussions, the rank and file voted NOT to go out on strike...they wanted to go back to work. Their local representative at the club, took the results of the poll to the union president, who was out of town at the time. When the union president returned and heard the results of the poll, he demoted the representative, and initiated the strike. Is that representing your members fairly, and carrying out their collective desires?

The new workers that were brought in are doing an exemplary job and are professional in every way.

My heart goes out to those workers that have been at the club for many years, and wanted to return to work. You union does not have your interests at heart.

D.C.

The techniques that the Union is using by attempting to create unrest through their noise making antics are working against them. They have created a tighter bond between the membership at Castlewood who are tired of being called rich, cheap and no good. The Union fails to realize that the customers at Castlewood are the owners and they will continue to use the club in spite of the union protesters. The Union picked a fight that they can't win since they cannot influence the customers to not use the facilities like they can at some hotel in Oakland or San Francisco.
It is too bad that we had to lose about a half dozen or so good employees because of a Union that is only thinking of the Union power and not the employees they are paid to represent. The employees will never get what they had back. They had the chance to kick the Union out and they didn’t so they will have to pay the consequences for that bad decision. These employees will not be coming back to work at Castlewood anytime soon, if ever.

If you like the way the unions are putting the hotels in San Francisco out of business, and destroying the convention business in San Francisco, you should be a big supporter of the union at Castlewood.

If I was a golfer and would use Castlewood I would become a member right now.

Don't forget, vote out the Mayor and everyone on the city council except Cindy McGovern at your first opportunity. Its make or break time for people in this country to get rid of creaping socialism.

One wonders how many of the Castlewood union members are illegals. You can bet that ICE under the Osama Administration isn't doing that. They ignore any federal law they don't like, the marijuana laws, the immigration laws, and laws keeping thugs away from polling places.

Do the kids know what they are banging the drums and chanting for? Or, are they like there parents and being told what to do by the union organizers? Im sure kids would love to be doing something else on a nice warm Sunny Sunday afternoon.

Is the Pleasanton Weekly the publicity arm for the the Union?

Seems to fit right in with its continual warm embraces for the Hippy Mayor and lefty loons on the City Council, Jerry McNerny and Barack Obama.

In case you haven't noticed, left-wing newspapers are going bust at a record clip. Is the Weekly longing for the same fate?

If you know a Castlewood member, call them up and ask them to invite you for a round of golf or a nice dinner. Patronize the place.

Then call up the Weekly and tell them to knock off the cheerleading for the Castlewood union.

Who do I talk with on the council to get a resolution asking my boss to give me a raise?

I have just returned to P-town after being gone for a week. I see that Foothill HS canceled their spring event at CWCC with less than 7 workings days notice. Reason stated was that the students were not willing to cross the protest/picket line.. Students didn't want to, or was it school administration and/or the teachers union?????Hummm

Doesn't the Foothill golf team use CWCC for its home golf matches???? Now is it OK for the Foothill golfers to cross the protest/picket line for their EBAL matches, when the participants in the spring event can't? It seems like a Civics 101 refresher course is necessary. Not crossing lines to negatively affect an organization's revenues, but crossing lines to take advantage of the same organizations generosity, in this case free access to the golf courses, is not teaching our younger generation the meaning of responsibilty for their, or their representative actions. Cancel the social event because of a political reason, then you must cancel the sporting events for the very same reasons. Should one be consistent in his/her actions?

Hummmmmm!!!!! I wonder if the unions, teachers and Here were willing to teach the concept that a commitment to one's actions should be universally applied. Commitment to one's values cannot be applied piecemeal.

To former member,
Managment can tell you whatever they want you to know. I feel happy that you got good service and good food that doesn't affect to us because we know that we always do the best for our customer.

They can said that they got tons of applicants, but how many people will be hard worker?

Thanks

Friendly worker,

To bad the union is selling you down the river, on the day of the vote they take you to breakfast and give you $200.00. When will you all get it, the union does NOT care about you only there own paychecks.
We are getting used to the new staff and they are VERY happy to have jobs. We are all very sorry that this has happened to you all. Most member's are saying if you do ever come back that any of you that were seen walking the picket line calling us "rich and rude" will never wait on our tables again. What you don't seem to remember is the all 807 members are owners of this club and we will remember your faces and we won't forget.

Friendly worker wrote:

"They can said that they got tons of applicants, but how many people will be hard worker?"

You have to be kidding me if you do not think that the replacement workers are working harder than you ever did. What makes you think there are not hard working people out there willing to work for the pay that you were offered? You should have voted out the Union when you had the chance, you would have been back to work by now. Instead you took the $200 from the union and voted to keep them and now you may never come back to the job you had. If I was you I would start looking for another job somewhere else since you are fighting a battle you can't win, at least not in the short term.

Cletus the Petus: Do you mean creep, not creap?

Marie: Do you mean too, not to?... and their, not there?

Your both ignorant! (<--that's a joke)

I will find another job because I know my job and enjoy it. I believe in God and whatever he doesn't want to happen won't happen.There's always a reason.

Thanks anyway.

Cletus, yes, the PW seems to be the political promotional arm of the unions. Well, at least Jeb Bing is..with this article and the promotion of fundraising thru downtown merchants for PPIE.

One of my usual bike rides is just past Castlewood Country Club. Recently, I have stopped to talk with some of the workers and I was shocked to hear about what is happening. It seems totally unfair to me that Castlewood management has locked out workers over the issue of health care. As a country, we are finally moving in the right direction, towards a health care system that actually tries to take care of everyone. It appears to me that Castlewood wants to go backwards to a time where people and their families can't go to the doctor. Shame on Castlewood! Get with the times!

Bicyclist,

Don't you know that their are two sides to every story? Does your employer pay 100% of your health care costs for both you and your family? Could you work for your employer just 20 hrs a week and have them pay all your health care costs and all of your families? They have been locked out because the union is not negotiating in good faith.

Bicyclist:

I am with you!

Yes, there are two sides to every story. And VERY FEW people (including Marie) know both sides.

Castlewood is a good place to work if you don't have a spouse or children. They will pay 100% of your healthcare. Not a very family friendly employer.

CCC Member, where do you work that your employer pays for all the health care costs for both you and your family? Most places don't even pay 100% for the employee anymore let alone the family.

Marie:

Where I work isn't relevant to how Castlewood is treating their employees.

Maybe instead of paying 100% for all employees, they should spread the costs so the employees with spouses and children can pay a little less. Is that such a bad idea??

It's just wrong for wealthy employers to subject their employees and family to such cruel and unusual treatment. CCC members continue to sip their expensive wine while working families struggle to put food on their table. I hope our legislators will help put an end to this type of oppression on the needy.

If Castlewood does not provide a competitive wage and benefit plan, then they will not be able to attract any workers. It is called capitalism, which is the principle of the United States.

The fact that healthcare coverage was provided free of charge for one's entire family, for working a part-time job is not realistic. Maybe 20 years ago, but not in today's world. This is not rocket science but rather Econ101.

Seriously, I feel bad for the workers because they are not educated enough to realize that the union is not representing their best interests. These workers have lost wages they will never recoup and will be replaced and lose out on the security of their jobs; all at a time when unemployment in CA is almost 13%. It is clear that these workers need their jobs a lot more than CCC needs them.

The entitlement days are over.

The problem with these blogs is that some people are not who they say they are.
CCC Member Laguna Oaks sounds just like the union. Makes me wonder if the person behind this name isn't really just a union person spouting the union line? Why should a single person pay more for insurance just so a family of 6 can pay less? Guess it is called Socialism. If you are an Obama supporter this is what he means by redistributing the wealth.

And Grinch, now that is definitely a union person pretending to be a neutral observer.

Puck:

The question isn't "why should a single person pay more for insurance so a family of 2, 3 or yes, even 6 can pay less". The question is why doesn't the single person pay ANYTHING (not a dime) for insurance? This isn't redistrubing the wealth - this is EVERY individual assuming some financial responsibility for their own health care. Why do you think it is ok for singles to pay nothing??

Let's be clear about one thing. I am no union person nor do I like the idea of an union. But that's a separate discussion altogether. The problem here is that we have a bunch of filthy rich oppressors filling their potbellies with exotic food and fine wine while their workers are being forced to accept ridiculously low wages and pay for costly benefits or else lose their job. This is an outrage and it's wrong.

EVERY employee gets coverage for themselves at no cost. That includes all of those that are married or have families. If you happen to have additional family that you wish to insure then it is your responsibility to pay for their insurance if you wish to purchase it through the Club, with Castlewood paying up to an additional $100. The Club has decided that they will cover their employees but that covering families is too expensive in this day and age. As you stated, this is every individual taking financial responsibility for their own health care since every empoyee receives "FREE" health care for themselves. As I 'm sure you know, these workers, with their skills, cannot get a job anywhere in this valley with the benefits that you are encouraging.

Just like I thought, you didn’t even bother to defend yourself from being a Union person pretending to be a real CCC member.

I didn't realize I needed to "defend" myself especially to you.

I guess you think anyone who doesn't support the Castlewood position must be Union - can't possibly be a member. You know, we're not all "rich and rude".

Hey Grinch,

Why should a not-for-profit club be obligated to provide a benefit package that no restaurant in the Tri-Valley provides. Like I said in my prior post; if the wage and benefit pkg CCC offers to their workers is not competitive, then they will not be able to field a workforce. It's called capitalism; seems you want socialism.

CCC/Lauguna Oaks wrote:
I guess you think anyone who doesn't support the Castlewood position must be Union - can't possibly be a member. You know, we're not all "rich and rude".

Nobody called you rich and rude (except the Union pickets) or said that you can't support another side. It's that you are spouting the exact same lines that the Union has been yelling for months now. I guess that if you want to support the side that is calling you "rich, rude and no good", since you are supposedly a Castlewood member, that is your choice although one I find hard to believe. I think I would be upset with people that call me names and then expect me to give them a job with above average pay for their job skills coupled with great benefits. I don't think so.

Bicyclist, CCC is like any employer. They have to manage expenses and keep a labor force happy. If what they are offering is not acceptable to the workers, then they can quit and find something better. Oh, there's not something better out there? Then be glad for the job you have (or had in the case of the Union workers).

How's the union working out for San Francisco, who's port is a joke, who's hotels are half empty, and who's government is swimming in red ink? Unions are out of control, and this is a big reason why this state is having budget issues. This is just round 1 in a marathon fight. As for the CCC workers, you had a chance to vote the union out, and you didn't. Sucks for you.

Well said jimbo. California politicians lay down to unions is the core reason for our current economic mess.

I don't take the name calling personal. I am not rich, rude, and I think of myself as a reasonably good person, so I don't let it bother me on a personal level. Other members should try it.

This isn't about supporting any ONE side. Health are costs of $740. for a employee with a family who makes $13.00 an hour is just unrealistic. I don't know anyone who is paying that percentage of their monthly income for medical insurance. It would be nice to let the employees have enough money left over for a roof over their head, food, utilities, and other basics.

Yeah I know, they can go work somewhere else. And on the other hand, members can contribute more to health care and less to nice sand in the bunkers.

CCC Member Laguna Oaks
I'm sure if you (and others who agree with your position) went to Club management and requested to have an extra $50 or $100 added to your bill each month to start a special fund to pay for additional medical benefits for the locked out employees I'm sure they would take your money.

I only have one question, why do you believe that Castlewood employees should be paid a higher salary and receive more benefits than workers that do comparable jobs in the immediate area? If they would have accepted the proposed contract they would still be tops in both salary and benefits in the tri valley area. Do you know that for some of the partime employees it costs more for Castlewood to pay their benefits than it pays them in salary each month. Maybe in your world that makes sense but not in mine.

I agree with Jimbo, this is only round 1 and the union cannot afford to let a “nobody” like Castlewood win. They probably wish they hadn't gotten into this fight in hindsight because it is a lot different fighting a private enterprise than taking on a public business where you can influence the customers. I think that these particular employees have worked their last day at Castlewood. Too bad they didn't do the right thing and boot the Union when they had the chance.

CCC Member,

You really don't get it. If Castlewood doesn't provide a competitive wage and benefit program, then the club will not be able to attract workers. However, this is not the case. Every business is dealing with these issues and if CCC does not work to contain these costs, then it will not be competitive with other clubs and not be able to attract new members.

The programs that CCC is pushing for are normal plans within their respective industry.

Thanks to those memebers and non memebers that support us because it doesn't matter if you are a doctor or a house keeper because that house keeper will need a doctor and the doctor will need some help him clen up. All jobs need of other jobs and not all members are "rich and rude" most are very nice and very compassionte thank you. Some probably tried to be mean because the club prepares them for this situatn telling them lies about how much money they will save if CCC doen't pay benefitt for us and we don't ask for free benefits we offer to pay some affordable health care. We understand the economy is affecting everyone all around the world. If you really see the situation closer and analize all the money that the club is spending on security 24 hours than before wasn't needed, all the banquet events are cancelled,rhet also pay high umnemployment insuranc. There isalso bad repuation in media, to me looks this looks like a war about the power because Mr. Olson promises to the members that he will get the union out. But he didn't keep his promise, but if you knew what kind of managment that we have you would understand. If the club hadn't locked us out we would have gotten rid of he union , but their big mistake was to lock out the workers because we got the chance to unite and we did not keep the union because they invited us for breakfast or payed us $200.00 as some people may say, it was because if the club locked us ut then how can we trust them. Unfortunatly with the members they show their nice side, but with us they are rude and yell at workers, so many of the employees work under pressure and are afraid to say anything because the managers wiil find away to fire them. What I say is true and nobody told me to say this. I am a worker, but sometimes I feel sad how some members are so unrespecfull and uncompasionate with us, because they not in our shoes. They can go to have fun and relax and that is nice if you can pay for those privilegies.But please be a little bit considerate with the workers we are commiting any crimes all we want is an affordable health care according to our earnings. About our eduation nobody can just tell us what we can do and what we can't do. Some of us are inmigrants just like all of our ancestors so it realy doesn't matter if we are professionals or not.PLEASE, THINK ABOUT THIS ISSUE IT WON'T AFFECT MEMBER'S MONEY. IF YOU SUPPORT US TO COME BACK TO WORK WE WILL WORK HARD AND THE MONEY TO COVER PART OF HEALTH CARE WE WILL MAKE WITH OUTSIDE EVENTS. THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

Worker
If Castlewood is such a terrible place to work why do you want to come back?? I would think that you would be happy to be getting paid for not working while you are able to look for another job where you will get treated better. With as bad as you say you were treated at Castlewood it is better you didn’t vote the Union out because you would have been back to working for all those bad managers. I thought that the Union would have found you another job by now.
Perhaps some of these people that think that Castlewood is treating the employees badly have some work to do at their homes or businesses that they would like to hire you to do. Hopefully they will pay you union wages with the benefits that you are requesting from Castlewood.

What is truly sad is that this situation could have been avoided if the Board and the Union Management worked in good faith to resolve the issue over health care costs. Negotiation works when both sides want it to work.
I feel badly for the locked out employees, they deserve better. I'm hopeful that when both sides meet that an effort is made to find a middle ground.
Please don't waste time pointing fingers or trying to find fault. There is enough for everyone to go around. This is not a shining moment for the club and hope we put an end to the lockout and get these good people back where they belong, working at CCC.

Dear Worker

Excuse the CCC members who think they know what is going on, because unless they are on the Board THEY KNOW NOTHING. They haven't been told what the final proposals from either side are. They have never been asked by their club for input on any of the issues. They may tell you that you don't know what is going on, but neither do they. They may tell you that your are blindly following your union, but they are blindly being led by their club management. They are just talking to hear themselves talk. Good luck to you.

Shiva
How do you know that the members don't know what is going on? Just because they have not been asked to negoitate the contract doesn't mean the members have not been communicated with concerning the lock out. You can't have 800 people trying to negoiate a contract, that is what the Board is elected to do. There will always be a minority that will not agree with the action. I think that the Board has the backing of the vast majority of the membership concerning these union negoiations. I know that they have my family's support.
Unions were a necessity at one point in time but have become out of touch with reality.

Shiva:

I think they call that blind faith.

Indeed; blind faith. We decided to keep the Union because we know what could happen without it. As another worker said, the Management only show their nice side to you because they are workers at that place like the rest of us. We are the ones that see their dark side, Jerry Olson lies to you and you blindly believe in his words. Go and ask him how many events have been canceled? How much money you just lost? A lot. The club pays to the lawyer $600 dollars per hour. About 10 times they already met multiplied by at least 8 hours each time gives the total of $4,800 dollars per session and $48,000 dollars total. Many of you call us naives because we pay to the Union about $25,000 dollars every year and you just double that amount in a few sessions with your very efficient lawyer. But wait, keep reading because if the club continue the negotiations in that way, you are just about to put in the lawyer's pocket $50,000 more (at least). Do you have an idea how much is costing you the new security guys? Just think about it.

It is called lock out because the company did it. They don't want to negotiate; Jerry Olson doesn't care if this situation with the employees picketing bothers you or not. It is only about making things difficult to the employees. When a Union doesn't let the employees work; then it is called Strike. It is funny how people can't even notice the difference; am I right? Because most of the members believe that the Union is the one that don't let us go back to work. If you stop your blind faith for a moment and analyze what is happening you are going to see that he is costing you a lot of money and a lot of bad publicity. I'm not trying to be disrespectful but you just have to admit that the management and the board of directors, yes; the board of directors have been lying to you and everybody seems to believe them. Just asked them; are you doing all this for the club or in your personal benefit? Take care and Have a great day, just remember that it is like a war; nobody win and as a matter of fact you may be losing more than you think.

"Maybe both parties can find a middle ground". Maybe it is time to take a stand against unions pushing for better than market wages and benefits that ultimately lead to the business becoming unprofitable or going out of business. Ask GM.

If CCC pays higher wages than similar local businesses, and the union rejects their offer, they are legally within their rights to lock out the union workers. Morally, this is no better, or worse, than a strike imposed by the union. Both actions are legally acceptable methods to resolve labor disputes.

But no doubt if the union in this case did go out on strike, I'm sure the Pleasanton Weekly and our Berkely Wannabe city council would have come out in favor of the workers.

It's a labor dispute. The workers could have ended it. CCC could have caved in or "found the middle ground", but given that they are already paying above the market (according to some) for these services, they have every right to refuse.

On a personal level I feel bad for the locked out employees, but as a group they are out of step and out of touch with the new fiscal realities. And they are not the only ones...

by the way; Castlewood is a great place to work and I'm sorry for the management because the ones that are going to need a new job is them. We are not going anywhere and we will keep picketing as long is it is necessary.

CCC employees,

If Jerry Olsen and the board of directors are such horrible people why would you even want to come back to work for them? You think you have been great employees, as you walk around calling all the members that pay your salary rich and rude? The members are very tired of you and all you drama. We do not want you to come back now! At the beginning we all felt bad for you until the rich and rude remarks and the scaring members children at Easter. Remember we own this club its not like the Marriott when you scream things at people you won't ever see again. Go away and stay away we don't want or need you anymore.

To Marie:
I'm sorry that all the efforts of the employees to be heard bother you; but I'm more sorry for all that people that is struggling right now about putting some food on the table. Yes, you are right, this not a hotel; it is a private country club but for your bad luck this is America and the employees have rights. About the rich and rude chantings you are just proving that it is true all they say about rich, rude and very greedy. (by the way, if all the money situation is true, you could add to the above descriptions naive).

The reality of this situation is that the longer the employees are gone for, the less they are missed. It is unfortunate; the union has overplayed their hand and the locked out employees unfortunately will be the casualties.

Lost events, lawyer costs & security are only temporary costs. The union can picket for as long as they like. It doesn't bother me. Castlewood's resolve is getting stronger by the day. In fact, I have seen more commitment and effort by the temporary workers as of late than I have seen from a majority of the union workers in the past 5 years.

The gravy train is over and a majority of the membership is supportive of our club's position.

Hasta La Vista Baby

Two workers have said that they were treated badly by Castlewood management and that our GM lies. If that is true (and it's not) why would you want to come back to work at Castlewood? Just answer that one question. Why come back to a place that treats you so badly?

I think you are drinking too much of the union kool-aid to see that the union is the one that is lying to you. Now that we know how you really feel about our management and members I'm glad that you decided to keep the Union. It is the best thing that ever happened to Castlewood because now we do not have to take you back.

Hasta la vista baby? We are fighting for a fair cause and unfortunately you really don't have any clue about what is going your block right now. I feel sorry about you, honestly, because we are talking here about families that need to be fed, but what can you know about it? am'I right? Money in hands of dumbs is poison and you my friend; you got it pretty bad.

If you need to bring food to the table, shouldn't you be out looking for a new job instead of wasting time picketing at CCC? I think it's wrong what CCC is doing to you people but sticking around won't do any good for you or your family. Why not just move on?

How much is the initiation fee and monthly dues at CCC? I think I may be interested in joining just to experience the non-unionized worker service.

It should be obvious to people that work in a competitive business environment that companies have been laying off workers and not giving raises or bonuses for the last few years. When/if companies begin to rehire workers can expect to make LESS.
However, because Union's negotiate contracts years ahead it takes longer to get their wages and benefits in line with the market but it IS HAPPENING and not just a CCC.
In the last 2 days you can see that schools have HAD to cut back because they are running HUGE budget deficits.
You MAY ask why don't we just ask the tax payers to pay more for their schools? Are all parents in these school districts rich and rude or don't want better education for our kids? Of course not we, but the districts can't afford it. It is that simple.
And CCC is NO different and simply can't afford to pay more than what market rates are for its employees. We pay above market rates for similar jobs in the area. It is unfortunate that we can't pay everyone above market rates and many families that have lost their jobs and taken new ones at far less pay have felt the same as the former CCC employees.

- Oakland school board imposes contract on teachers union
The school board on Wednesday night imposed a contract on its teachers union. The vote to immediately impose a so-called "status quo contract" was unanimous and prompted an uproar in the board room. This means NO RAISES...
The two sides had negotiated for more than two years, and the district administration at one point asked teachers to take a 3 percent pay cut. The union demanded a 15 percent raise, smaller caseloads for counselors and nurses, and small class sizes — all things the school district says it cannot afford as it faces a general purpose fund deficit of $37 million for the upcoming school year.
- Teachers across South Carolina could see their paychecks reduced next school year.
Web Link
- The teachers at Forest Hills Consolidated School have agreed to have their wages frozen next year to save the district money.
Web Link

As a member of Castlewood I was very concerned with the lockout when it first took place. I was worried for the workers that I have gotten to know and become friends with over the years. Also, from a personal standpoint I was concerened with how the club was going to manage to operate going forward. There seemed to a lot of confusion in the kitchen, restaurants and bar areas when the replacement workers first came on board. As time has gone on with the lockout I have seen a major transformation take place. The new employees are doing an excellent job. They are VERY happy to be working at Castlewood and show it through their hardwork and great attitude. The kitchen and dining area's are much cleaner and better maintained than they were under the union workers. At the same time, the strong positive feelings that most members felt toward the union employees has evaporated. The union employees have taken a stance through their protesting that has made most members now stand against their cause and now not want them to return. The union has taken a antiquated approach to trying to end the lockout which has back fired on them. If the union really cared about their members who were employeed at Castlewood they would find them a job at another union establishment as soon as possible because I think their bridge at Castlewood has been burned.

Great post Happy CCC member. I couldn't agree with you more.

Worker
You are the one that does not get it. When you are asking for a job it is not a good idea to tell the person that has the authority to hire you that they are dumb. I think you should ask the union to find you a job somewhere else because you are not coming back to Castlewood. That train left the station when you voted to keep the union.
I also think that "Happy CCC Member" is correct; they summed it up pretty well. The vast majority of the membership has turned against you because of your tactics.

It is very unfortunate that these workers will be out of a job and will have to settle for a position that will not be as good as they once had at CCC. I really felt for them and their families and was very sympathetic.

Where I turned was at Easter when they were chanting to our families and my kids had to witness this in person. I realize that was the point of the protest and letting our families hear how poorly the workers felt they were being treated was the the Unions tactic but it really turned me completely against any sympathy that I once felt.

At this point I would put my hard earned dollars in an anti-union fund so i would never have to put my family through that again.

James 5:1-6. Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten. ...Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and with you have withheld, cries out against you; and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

The passage states that the laborers were not being paid a just wage or no wage at all.

The position that is clearly being stated here is that the wage is more just than anyone else in a similar position in the area.

What is the argument that you are trying to make? that the wage the workers were offered was not just or equal to others in a similar posiiton? Or that anyone that belongs to the club must be repressing the workers?

Scripture from the Bible??? Seriously??? This is a labor dispute at a local country club. I liked a lot of our past union employees and would have liked for them to decertify their union status and come back the club. But they decided not to, which was their prerogotive and right. I respect their decision, but it is also CCC's right to lockout the union since their is no contract.

I too am getting used to our new employees and enjoying seeing their enthusiasm working at CCC. I am seeing effort that was not always a given with the some of the union workforce.

As in life, everything moves forward, Castlewood has and the union workers should probably too. The picketers especially, will not be welcome back.

Workers:

The club isn't any cleaner than when you were working. If the food is better Chef Tracy gets credit for that. Service is slow and it is not as good as it was. I am sure it will get better over time, but it is not better at this point. The CCC members are trying to make you feel bad -like you are disposal. You are not. They wanted you to decertify your union. You did not. I don't know if that was the right decision or not, but after reading posts from CCC members for the last couple of months, I sure wouldn't want to work around or for some of those people. They just don't sound very nice do they?? Please don't judge ALL club members by the hostile angry ones that post. Their anger and hostility do not represent all the members. CCC really does have some nice people. REALLY! HONEST!

Dear ccc member,

I have never in my ten years as a member of CCC, seen anyone clean the Valley clubhouse like the young lady we have now. She is always sweeping, mopping and I have been impressed with her work effort.

While the food and bar service was painfully slow to start, it has improved the past few weeks and soon enough, it will be as good if not better than in the past.

I am not angry or bitter, but just ready to move forward.

There's that union shill "CCC Member Laguna Oaks" pretending to be a Castlewood member again. He is just spouting all the same union lines that they have been spouting for months now. Trust me the Club is a lot cleaner now that it ever was before. The only thing he did say that is true is that Chef Tracy is great.

I asked this question before, and of course didn't get an answer, if the management is so bad and the members so disrespectful why would you want to come back to work at Castlewood? I know I would never work at a place where it was not fun to work at, life is too short.

I’m sure that “CCC Member Laguna Oaks” has some work around that big house of his that would keep a couple of locked out union employees busy. Just make sure to include health care in your pay package.

"Trust me" ???

Is that you Puck??

I am not a member or a worker but drive by all the time.

It does not look like the Union is going anywhere soon. What would be great is if the golf course could install a permanent barbque by the parking lot so I could get somehting to eat when the traffic backs up.

All of these posts have made me realize how mean-spirited and selfish we are as a community. Government involvement is the only way to address these inequities. Therefore, I propose the following:
- Tax all homeowners so that those who can't afford to live here will get the chance. Let's give the first free house to Sandra De Gregorio and make it a nice one (Ruby Hill or somewhere on the Ridge). She deserves it.
- USPS is going broke. If they scale back to 5 day delivery and close some obsolete post offices though, a lot of hard working folks will lose their jobs due to cost cuts. FedEx and UPS are raking it in so let's tax all of their packages to subsidize USPS - no cuts required!
- Who wants to stay at Motel 6 or Best Western when there are much nicer hotels in town? Tax rooms at the Rose Hotel, Marriott and Hilton so that folks who currently can't afford their rates can stay there in the future.
- Only rich people eat at Hap's. Let's tax every meal so that anyone who wants to eat there but can only afford Chile's will now have the chance.
- Private schools are so expensive. Let's tax private school tuition to create scholarships. Base them on want not on merit because everyone deserves to get what they want.

You get the idea. These are just a few ways that we can make this community better for everyone!

I am so sick of hearing that the castlewood members are "rich, priviliged and rude" the majority of the members have worked their butts off to be able to afford the club. I venture to say that in their jobs they have probably had to put up with more difficult working situations than the locked out workers. Many are business owners who have risked their own financial security to employ people. I guess they are not allowed to enjoy the fruits of their very hard labor. You think waiting on tables is hard and stressful? Try having to bring in revenue to keep 100 people employed (with health benefits, but not as good as Castlewood food workers)

Want the truth? Come to a Community Briefing on Castlewood.

Monday, April 26
3:00-4:30
Pleasanton Library

Who is hosting the meeting? Whose version of the truth? Unfortunately most companies cannot afford to pay for coverage for families. My husband works for a large Silicon Valley company. We pay a significant portion of the heathcare expense and we have Kaiser. These are very nice workers, but no company can pay for their family's healthcare. It is very generous to pay for the employee's full medical benefit. I'm sorry they are low wage earners, but most restaurants cannot afford to give paid medical and either can Castlewood.

@community,

the truth??? you mean the union going to the public library to tell their story? How CCC has a bunch of rich and rude people that won't pay their workers a fair wage?? that version of the truth?

Yea I will be there to hear the wisdom of the union. What do union's want? They want MORE.

Here is the announcement from the UniteHere facebook page.

Forum on Castlewood Lockout to Take Place April 2637.658361
-121.880489
primary
Forum on Castlewood Lockout to Take Place April 26
Pleasanton Library
400 Old Bernal Ave
/listings/pleasanton-library
79282
/locations/349501
Locked Out Castlewood Country Club employees will hold a community meeting at the Pleasanton Library.
By Marnette Federis | Email the author | April 24, 2010 Close
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Union representatives said the group is planning a meeting for April 26 so that community members can ask questions and be informed about the lockout situation at the Castlewood Country Club. Credit Marnette Federis
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Credit Marnette Federis Web Link">Web Link 600x450 450,450,75,0 0.164473684210526 88,88 3648x2736
Your photos, videos & PDFs: Add Zoom
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Union representatives said the group is planning a meeting for April 26 so that community members can ask questions and be informed about the lockout situation at the Castlewood Country Club.Credit Marnette Federis
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Credit Marnette Federis Web Link">Web Link 600x450 450,450,75,0 0.164473684210526 88,88 3648x2736
Your photos, videos & PDFs: Add A statement released from Unite Here! Local 2850 said locked out workers from Castlewood Country Club will host a community forum on April 26 at the Pleasanton Library from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Local leaders including Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty will be part of the panel and will include a background briefing from Wei-Ling Huber, president of the union. Alameda Labor Council Executive Secretary Treasurer Sharon Cornu will also be present.

The forum will take place on the 61st day of the lockout and a day before management and union bargaining teams are supposed to meet again. Negotiations stalled after the two sides could not agree on health care benefits.

Too bad the union didn't show this level of wanting to get things done when they had the chance. They are trying to suck Castlewood into a no win situation with this “Community Briefing” and Castlewood has refused to be a part of it. The employees have been out of work for two months now and are starting to get desperate since the union money will start to run out soon. They are beginning to figure out that they should have voted out the union when they had the chance.
Here is one member who encourages Castlewood to stay the course and rid itself of the union parasites.

I have one question. Has the union, rank and file, voted on the final offer that is on the table that has already been negotiated in good faith? If not, why not? It is my understanding that the union rep. refuses to let the workers vote. She does not have to give her blessing but she should allow the union the right to vote and if it does not pass go back to the table. But in my mind I would never go back to the table to negotiate until my final offer had been voted to accept or reject. The union reps. are negligent in not allowing her so called people a right to vote. This type of union ploy went out in the 70's.

No, the employees have NOT voted on the offer. When they asked to vote on the club offer she told them that they would vote on an offer when she said and not before.
They should be able to vote and if they vote it down then that forces the club back to the table but until that happens the club should just stay the course.

I really feel sorry for all that members that support the workers and don't deserve to go through all this situation. Unfortunately the arrogant and imposing attitude of the board of directors and the management towards the employees are giving results. I have to say that not the kind of results that they expected. Unions support each other and believe me when I say that the Local 2850 have more funds to stand against the club than they do to stand against the Union. Losing events, not being able to recruit new members, all the bad publicity (because that doesn't has price) and filling the lawyer's pockets are going to leave that place in a condition that you have never thought about not even in your wildest dreams. Wait for your annually report next January and you are going to see the good job on how this situation is being handle. I heard that the Management is planning to keep the lock out as long as possible. Hurrah for the board of directors,keep this war against the Union that they have made their own personal vendetta and all those filthy rich are going to have to declare bankruptcy. Hurrah for the board directors and Hurrah for Jerry Olson and his ability to deal with this issue. Do you want me to say it again? HURRAH

Dude, I don't know which is more whack, your writing or your bogus information.

Shouldn't you be working on your homework?

and I'm sorry for your pocket my greedy friend. The only thing that is bogus here is your knowledge about your situation. Probably I should be working on my grammar but for sure if you believe what the board of directors and Jerry Olson say; there are two options. Option 1: you are one of them. Option 2: you need more help with the homework than I do.

The only sure fire knowledge that I have is that "Observer" is a wacko. If you are not a member or a locked out employee you really should mind your own business.
You say the directors want to lock out the employees as long as possible, maybe or maybe not, but more importantly is the fact that the members don't want the union workers back and are willing to pay to have that happen.

The important fact is that the members don't want the union workers back? I'm sorry but you are going to see them again. Fortunately there are laws that protect people and employees from arrogant employers that think that can do what ever they want. If they are willing to pay for that to happen, as I stated before; you need a lot of help with your homework. You my dear member show how naive some rich people can be. You already paid more money to your fellow lawyer in a few hours than the workers do in a whole year to the Union. You are losing events and functions every week; let's see. Did you know about the prom that just got canceled? and there are many more examples. HURRAH for the rich people that have so much money that can through it away and they don't know it. HURRAH

I forgot my good man that to be a employer of arrogance and virtue is to practically validate the existance of the unions! Your homework lacks completion to be mild, and what you and your fellows pay your lawyers lacks credibility! HURRAH for the students to whom the prom was cancelled! Many such examples will follow! HURRAH

How do you fell about them apples, rich boy?

it will all be over soon. CCC will make a small concession and the Union will accept.

CCC does not want to prolong this but needs to lower costs and the Union can't afford a union black eye by having this drag on for such a small amount of Union workers. So they will sell the workers out and accept a small concession call it a win and move on to the next fight.

CCC lowers costs, Union thumps chest and says we showed them and the workers get less than they had, lose 2 months of pay but get to keep jobs at a good total wage.
It will end next week.

Indeed my dear prediction. I will be over soon but not because the Union lack of funds to stand against the country club. It is going to be the opposite. The Union have some much funds to stand Castlewood's vendetta that by summer the club will be accepting the old contract; signed three years ago. HURRAH for the board of directors. God bless the Unions.

Folks, the Union's last offer was less than the Club's. And why would the union allow their workers to vote on a plan that has them paying 40% of their income towards health care? You have a union to protect your rights. And the workers voted 70% to keep their union. If those folks were on the county rolls, you all would be telling them to get a job.

Is it about money? Okay, let's see...CCC is losing banquets, paying ridiculous lawyer fees to fight the union, paying ridiculous payroll taxes for 61 unemployed workers, the list goes on...

...I would feel really awkward waiting on tables for those filthy rich and rude bosses again. But I would expect them to leave a generous tip to offset my rising health care cost.