Billboard takes Topgolf recreation facility to task
Union decries wages, benefits
A billboard situated at the Bridgeville exit of Interstate 79 casts aspersions on Topgolf for what a union maintains is its failure to adhere to the area’s wage and benefit standards.
Thebillboard simply states, “Shame on Top Golf ‘FORE’ driving local wages down!,” andis paid for by the Keystone Mountain Lakes Regional Councilof Carpenters.
The Dallas-based chain, which now has 33 locations in the U.S., plans a 65,000 square foot facility at the Newbury Market complex, near Interstate79 and Route 50.
The facility will feature 102 hitting bays, where golfers can practice swings hitting golf balls equipped with a microchip to detect accuracy and distance with each shot. Players hit toward a set of nets or targets from 20 to 240 yards away and a chip reader is able to calculate the score.
According to Lee Manges, KML assistant director of organizing, Topgolf contracted with Chicago- ARCO/Murray to do the work. Mr. Manges said they confirmed that information after union representatives spoke with the site superintendent.
“This is not a union/nonunion issue,” he said. “Instead, it is letting people know that Topgolf is not paying the area’s standard wages and benefits. The issue is they are depriving local jobs and undermining local standards.”
“Topgolf is proud to be a good community partner and equal opportunity employer,” Topgolf responded in a statement. “This location will create 500 jobs and produce $264.5 million in economic output during the next 10 years. We are excited to open Topgolf in 2018 and become a venue that the entire community can enjoy.”
The council of carpenters’ Mr. Manges maintains the concern is local jobs for local people.
“They are building a facility and they are going to want people from the greater Pittsburgh area to patronize it. Our carpenters are not good enough to build it, but they will want our business.”
The council of carpenters originally reached out to the head of Topgolf construction when it learned the facility was going to be built. Mr. Manges said the response was brief, but “it never went anywhere.”
The union sent Topgolf a few letters — as well as a draft of a potential handbill — and received no response.
The handbill was never distributed publicly. Union officials ultimately decided on the billboard.
They also have a banner erected along Interstate 376 East near the Ridge Road exit, in front of their regional office building. An additional banner was posted for about a week near the already existing Maryland Topgolf location.
“We have an obligation to let the public know about things like this and that is our goal, “Mr. Manges said, “We, as the carpenters, must protect the area standards.”