Castlewood Country Club Workers Protest, Block Golf Tourney

Angry workers armed with bullhorns and picket signs crashed the club’s Men’s Invitational Golf Tournament Thursday.

The workers — upset at for 16 months as negotiations for a labor contract drag on — staged an old-fashioned sit-in just outside the club, on Castlewood Drive at the intersection of Foothill Road, as TV news crews and a news helicopter looked on.

“We have persisted — we aren’t going anywhere,” said Wei-Ling Huber, president of the workers’ Unite Here Local 2850 union said.

“We are going to go back, we are going to go back union and we are going to go back with a contract.”

Protesters said they expected their act of civil disobedience to last half an hour, but it lasted much longer.

Alameda County Sheriff’s Office deputies showed up, backed by deputies in riot gear, with California Highway Patrol and Pleasanton police officers standing by. They started arresting demonstrators at about 11:15 a.m. – more than four hours after the first picketers arrived. Protesters went quietly as they were hauled off into a waiting sheriff’s office bus.

Sheriff’s officials said 24 people were arrested. They were cited for suspicion of trespassing and released.

The picketers caused some traffic congestion as cars and golf carts carrying members and their guests to the four-day tournament tried to get past them. There was at least one close call where a car almost hit a golf cart. Sheriff’s deputies directed traffic.

“I find it disturbing,” said David Ashburn, a guest at the club who was looking to play some golf. “I think they are trying to make a point. It’s disturbing the peace.”

Labor organizers said the main sticking point in the talks is that the country club wants workers to put 50 percent of their wages toward their health care insurance. Workers said they can pay up to 40 percent a month for a family.

“You locked workers out of their jobs for 16 months and then you want to have a party; that’s not going to work,” said Nischit Hegde, an organizer with the Unite Here Local 2850.

“They are legally entitled to their jobs.”

Castlewood workers have had to survive on unemployment, donations, and the strike fund, they said. And some have sought work elsewhere, Hegde said.

The workers picket nine times a week, but Thursday was the first time the 60-plus Castlewood employees had done anything that is considered civil disobedience, Hegde said.

“It’s been hard,” said Francisca Carranza, a janitor at the club, about the lock-out. “We are fighting for our dignity.

“I have been able to pay the rent, but it’s hard to have an extra dollar. The community is supporting us.”

Carranza, 46, said she is supporting a husband who can’t work for medical reasons, and their 19- and 20-year-old daughters has been difficult. She added that she is upset because the club can afford to pay more of their health care, especially with what it is paying for attorneys, replacements and security during the lockout.

Castlewood member Don Emerson said he didn’t know what the fuss was about and that it’s hard for him to sympathize with the club’s employees when he pays $1,000 a month for health care.

“It’s been going on a long time,” Emerson said. “Both sides have got to give. It’s surprising that they can block the road like that.”

Castlewood General Manager Jerry Olson said the club was prepared for Thursday’s action because the union had been promoting it on its website.

“This is normal for them,” Olson said.

The protests caused the 240 tournament participants to be 20 minutes late before they used an alternate route to the greens, Olson said. He declined to discuss the labor negotiations, but he refuted the workers’ claims that the club doesn’t meet with the union and is being unfair.

“Membership is very supportive of the club,” Olson said.

Some members and people in the community have rallied around the workers’ cause, labor organizers and club employees said. One car was even seen Thursday coming down the club’s driveway with a sign taped on that read “Union Yes.” Other drivers honked in support.

Pleasanton resident Bob Lane, 64, is one of those who supports the union and workers. He was even willing to get arrested to show his solidarity with the workers.

“They are being treated unfairly," Lane said. "The club is behaving disgracefully. Everything the club has done indicates they aren’t fair.”

Watch the accompanying videos to see the traffic snarl created by the protest, along with arrests.

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