Labor disputes at The Greenbrier may cause one of the property’s largest clients to look elsewhere for its fall meeting.
According to local press reports, the Washington, D.C.-based Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB), has been bringing its fall meeting to The Greenbrier since 1913 (with the exception of 2001-because of the World Trade Center attacks), but this year may select another venue.
While contracts with the nine labor unions, representing about 75 percent of The Greenbrier’s workforce (about 1,100 employees), were set to expire Jan. 31, both sides agreed to a 28-day extension, said Lynn Swann, the resort’s director of public relations.
“At the end of February, talks were continuing, but no extension or final contract was agreed upon,” she said. “Our union employees are working without a contract at this time. The decision to continue to work is completely in the hands of the unions.”
At press time, the next round of talks were set for April 17, and while CIAB officials told local media they are not in favor of moving the meeting, the group may be forced to look elsewhere due to fear of a possible work stoppage.
“We hope that won’t happen,” Swann said. “We continue to negotiate. The talks have not broken off.”
