Greenkeepers have called for clarity over the lingering threat of privatisation of Dundee’s public golf courses.
The city’s two courses, run by Leisure and Culture Dundee (LACD) and located in Caird Park and Camperdown, have been market-tested to weigh up possible interest from private operators.
A tendering process is due to close on January 11 but the union representing workers, GMB Scotland, said LACD have failed to provide staff with answers.
LACD, however, have hit back at the claims, labelling them “misleading”.
GMB Scotland organiser Helen Meldrum said: “There has been a clear failure on the part of LACD to fully consult with our members over the future of the city’s public golf courses and with it the livelihoods of the staff.
“We have no idea what the level of private interest has been but our real worry is whether there would be any interest in maintaining the existing workforce and the terms and conditions of their employment.
“Our members are demoralised; they have been contending with years of under-investment and feel they are being hung out to dry by management in their efforts to provide the Dundee public with a great golfing experience.
“It wasn’t that long ago that Dundee used to have some of the busiest golf courses in Europe but now it seems all LACD are focused on is the management of their decline.”
GMB added that they feel local workers deserve to know whether the courses will remain publicly owned and whether there is a plan in place to safeguard jobs and wages.
A Leisure & Culture Dundee spokesperson said: “We are disappointed to learn that GMB officials have provided information which is both misleading and inaccurate.
“Over the course of the past two years, senior trade union officials, shop stewards and golf staff have been involved in discussion and consulted on golf in the city in relation to the global decline in golf participation and the impact that has had locally.
“The plans for sustaining golf at Caird and Camperdown Parks have been shared with staff and trade unions, including a meeting only last month when the market-testing element of the plan was explained in detail.”
LACD said it invests over £150,000 per year in greenkeeping equipment to assist in the upkeep of the courses.
It also added that the greenkeeping service only employs seven staff, and not 20 as GMB Scotland have suggested.
