Disappointment over union golf courses claim

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 and Camperdown parks, have been markettested to weigh up interest from private operators.

A tendering process is due to close on January 11 but the union representing workers, GMB Scotland, said LACD had failed to provide staff with answers.

LACD, however, has hit back at the claims, labelling them “misleading”.

GMB Scotland organiser Helen Meldrum said:“There has been a clear failure to fully consult with our members over the future of the city’s public golf courses.

“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.

“It wasn’t that long ago that Dundee had some of the busiest golf courses in Europe but now it seems all LACD is focused on is the management of decline.”

GMB added that l ocal workers deserve to know whether the courses will remain publicly owned and whether there is a plan in place to safeguard jobs.

A Leisure and Culture Dundee spokesman said: “We are disappointed to learn GMB officials have provided information which is both misleading and inaccurate.

“Over 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 Camperdown and Caird parks have been shared with staff and trade unions, including a meeting only last month when the market-testing element was explained in detail.”

LACD said it invests more than £150,000 per year in greenkeeping equipment to assist in the upkeep of the courses.

It also said the greenkeeping service only employs seven staff, and not 20 as GMB Scotland has suggested their