Caddies at Pebble Beach have voted to unionize.
By a lopsided vote of 180 to 56, the caddies last night voted to formally join UNITE HERE Local 19. Their plan is to enter into collective bargaining talks with Pebble Beach and its third-party caddie program operator CaddieMaster.
“We are unified across the caddie body and I’m excited we voted collectively for the union,” said caddie Kodiak Adams in a statement provided by UNITE HERE. “As part of the newer generation of caddies at Pebble Beach, we are looking forward to having a say over ensuring a respectful, dignified workplace for the long term.”
“CaddieMaster respects the caddies’ decision to be represented by a union,” said CaddieMaster CEO Dan Costello in a separate prepared statement provided to MyGolfSpy. “We will negotiate in good faith and work together to support the continued success of the Pebble Beach caddie program.”
It is believed that this is the first time that elite caddies at a major golf destination have voted to unionize.
Why unionize?
At issue is a recently imposed work rule change for the caddies at all of the Pebble Beach properties. For decades caddies at Pebble worked as independent contractors. They would receive most of the caddie fee charged by Pebble, plus tip, as their pay. In February, however, CaddieMaster informed the caddies that they would transition to full-time employees as of May 1st. At that time, CaddieMaster would start paying them an hourly wage.
The caddies they were not consulted on the change, nor were they included in the forming of new work rules. Additionally, they say the new arrangement represented a significant pay cut.
CaddieMaster, for its part, has disputed the pay cut assertion. The company says during the most recent pay period, actual gross caddie pay was up 15 percent. Sources say that under the new system, caddies are earning anywhere from $17.54 to $24.98 per hour.
Minimum wage in California is $16,.90 per hour.
The work rule change came at a time when Pebble Beach was raising its caddie fees for golfers. Rates are now up to $250 for a double bag loop.
What happens next?
The union says the vote passed despite a persistent anti-union campaign by the employer. UNITE HERE says the caddies are eager to get to bargaining table as soon as possible.
It is possible that CaddieMaster and Pebble could challenge the vote. However, both would have to consider possible backlash from the union and from golfers.
“Pebble Beach Company respects the outcome of the election,” says Pebble CEO David Stivers in response to an inquiry from MyGolfSpy. “The goal of the recent changes was to create a better caddie program. While Pebble Beach will not be a part of negotiations, it is our hope that the union will work collaboratively with CaddieMaster to ensure this goal is realized, and that the Pebble Beach cadie program stands among the country’s finest.”
MyGolfSpy has reached out to CaddieMaster and is awaiting a response.
As for possible outcomes, it’s unlikely the union will be able to put the genie back in the bottle and return to an independent contractor model. What’s more likely is that the union will be able to negotiate more say in work rules, seniority benefits, grievance and discipline procedures and payment transparency.
Under federal law, both sides are required to bargain in good faith.
“I’m so proud of my friends and colleagues for standing together to make this program and this job that we love better for ourselves and all future caddies,” says 26 year veteran caddie Tony Malokas in a statement provided by Local 19. “I look forward to productive talks at the bargaining table.”
MyGolfSpy will update this story as more information becomes available.