Monday I got inspired and started to pull weeds at our house. I was amazed at the height of some of the weeds that we have not taken care of; by "taken care of" I mean pulled out. I was so busy pulling the weeds I didn't notice a little insect flying near some flowers. As I grabbed one such long weed I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my finger and saw something fly away from my hand.
I forgot those little stings can hurt. I looked for the culprit, who was nowhere to be found, and then tried to find the stinger in my hand. I looked and looked and prodded and poked, but I couldn't find it. It didn't throb at all, but just kind of "stung."
I decided that, like a sliver I had received in Mexico, you just have to wait sometimes for it to fester and then extract it.
It wasn't until the next day that I saw a little pus pocket and was able to clean it out, though I had to squeeze it more than once. I never did see the stinger, but the infection is gone and my finger is no longer irritated.
This kind of reminded me of the current Castlewood Country Club situation. On Tuesday I went with some of the workers and the union representatives to talk with the Board of Directors. The workers have been locked out now for almost 60 days. The vote to decertify the union on April 2nd did not turn out as the Board had hoped, for the workers voted 41-17 to keep the union as their representative.
When we got to the Country Club and asked about the Board meeting the manager told us, "The Board doesn't meet on Tuesdays," although the newsletter had stated there would be a Board Meeting on Tuesday the 20th at 5:00 pm. I had tried to talk to the General Manager about a month ago, but was told he wasn't interested in hearing from concerned clergy, nor was he willing to speak with a few us so we could hear his side of the issue. "It is a private matter," I was told.
These workers have been, and continue to be, willing to work without an increase. Yet the board wants those with families to pay $740 a month for health insurance, which was previously included as part of their compensation. The union has sought a resolution by offering $255 as monthly premium payment, for those with families. The other cuts the union has offered would bring the monthly cost below what the board would have to pay with the board's current proposal, but I guess they aren't in a negotiating mood.
It almost seems as though the workers are like that bee that visited me. They have a little sting, but it does not amount to much. It is just a little irritating, but not enough to pay attention to, yet these are human beings. Some of these people have worked for Castlewood for twenty years or more. Many who went with us on Tuesday had only worked for two years, but even though the proposal by the board does not effect those who are single, those who are single still want to stand with those who have families and are dependent on health insurance.
There does not seem to be any reconciliation in sight. Even the City Council of Pleasanton passed a resolution requesting the board to end this lock out, at least while negotiations are going on. The workers are willing to work without a new contract while the powers that be iron out a reasonable contract.
Please pray with me that this will end soon. I don't know where I would be without health insurance; how about you? Jesus came to give those on the margins hope, but Jesus also said, "Whatever you do for the least of these you do for me." Jesus wants more than hope for those in need. What are we doing for the least of these?
Praying for a peaceful and timely resolution,
Pastor Randy
