
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, August 6, 1993                   TAG: 9308060051
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HOT SPRINGS                                LENGTH: Medium

RESORT EXEC RIPS CHALLENGE

The president of The Homestead resort accused a union Thursday of acting against the interests of the resort's 1,000 employees by trying to overturn their vote against collective bargaining.

If the union's representative "is truly interested in job security for the employees at The Homestead, then he will do what they voted for him to do . . . which is to back off and allow the election to be certified," Dan Ingalls said.

But Ron Richardson, a Hotel and Restaurant Employees representative, said the union had "no alternative" to filing an objection with federal regulators. He said the union could withdraw the appeal filed with the National Labor Relations Board if Ingalls and Club Resorts Inc. agree to ensure job security for veteran employees.

He said he tried to speak with Club Resorts President James Hinckley before filing the appeal, but was told that the company's lawyers had advised Hinckley not to talk to him.

Richardson could not predict how long it would take to hold another election if the NLRB nullifies the 561-239 vote against union representation at The Homestead last Friday.

He said the election was unfair because Ingalls told employees that union representation might bankrupt the resort. He added that about 60 percent of the employees signed cards in support of union representation before the meeting with Ingalls.

"Federal labor law and court decisions are clear: If an employer threatens to close the place down if the employees vote for the union, it's grounds for setting aside an election," Richardson said.

Ingalls, whose family has owned The Homestead for 102 years, said Club Resorts required a rejection of union representation for the purchase to proceed.

"Our employees think that possible bankruptcy holds little prospect for job security," Ingalls said in a statement. "The best opportunity for job security lies in completing the partnership with Club [Resorts] and giving them a chance at The Homestead."

Club Resorts said July 1 that it wanted to renovate The Homestead and, after a few years, own the resort.

Hinckley said Thursday that it would be inappropriate for the Dallas-based company to get involved in issues involving The Homestead employees because "at present, Club Resorts has no ownership interest in The Homestead."

Ingalls said he isn't in a position to dictate to a new owner or a new management team how to operate the hotel.

Hinckley did make an overture to the union while saying company officials hope the labor dispute can be resolved and "look forward to working with The Homestead employees."

"We are intensely interested in maintaining jobs as well as ensuring satisfaction with those jobs and working conditions," Hinckley said. "We also have an impressive record of retaining employees at acquired properties."

Sen. John Warner, R-Va., said he had contacted both sides and asked them to continue to negotiate. He said an appeal could be withdrawn at any time.

Staff writer Sandra Brown Kelly contributed information to this story.

by CNB