A former Mill River Provincial Golf Course greens-keeper says he was not surprised when advised that he would not be getting his usual callback this year.
His notice came in the form of a phone call the night before the provincial government announced on Jan. 12 that it was selling the Mill River golf course, campground and Fun Park properties to Don McDougall.
“We knew it was coming,” said the greens-keeper who asked that his name not be disclosed.
He said he was told he could re-apply for his position with the new owner and indicated he plans to do so.
Only nine permanent staff members of the provincial facility received layoff notices. These employees have the option of applying for other jobs within the public service.
Thirty-nine casual workers and one special projects casual worker were advised their positions no longer exist with the provincial government. The list includes four winter projects casual employees at the ski shop. They will continue to receive government wages until their current terms expire.
As well, 29 students who were employed throughout the complex last year were advised that those government-paid positions were no longer available but that they could re-apply with the new owner for the private-sector jobs.
As part of the agreement, McDougall also acquires the Rodd Mill River Resort property, which is part of the sprawling Mill River complex. Those employees are not included in the Union of Public Sector Employees’ (UPSE) numbers.
McDougall has indicated past and present employees in good standing at any of the properties would be given priority consideration for employment but at private sector wages.
The greens-keeper sees that as code for lower wages. He said he looked it up last year and found the average wage for greens-keepers in the private sector to be $12.47 per hour. Greens-keepers at the provincial course were receiving $19 per hour.
“There’s no sense getting stressed over it,” he said of the likelihood of working for less. “You can’t do anything about it.”
UPSE says the changes impact 49 of its members. Their wages ranged from $18.50 to $35.40 per hour.
A spokesman said the union is looking into the possibility of those employees maintaining successor rates and moving as one entity and having UPSE negotiate an agreement with the new employer.
