Ski patrollers at Park City have walked out on contract talks and threatened to strike in the first few weeks of ski season.
Local newspaper The Park Record reports the ski patrol union is deadlocked on negotiations with Park City owner, Vail Resorts. Among other things, the union feels slighted that other resort departments are getting bonuses, while unionized ski patrollers are getting nothing.
Park City’s COO, Deirdra Walsh, says her team was ready to talk when the patrollers’ union left negotiations this past Thursday, Dec. 12. Walsh reminded local media that patrollers today earn 50% more than four years ago, start at $25 per hour, plus $1600 for equipment.
The Park City union has authorized a strike, but patrollers are not striking yet. They are still going to work, and Park City is still operating as usual.
Meanwhile, in Colorado…
Today two of four ski patrols in Summit County are unionized, at Breckenridge and Keystone. Earlier this season Arapahoe Basin launched a union movement within hours of its sale to Alterra Mountain Company, owner of the Ikon Pass.
Keystone’s ski patrol union is hammering out its first contract with Keystone Resort. In a recent Instagram post the union says it anticipates “a tough fight and prolonged negotiation process,” saying the company showed its true colors late last season when it tried to remove an appeal process. The union also believes the company doubts “our ability to organize as a unit.”
In Breck the relationship has been quiet and mostly congenial. Before the 2023-2024 season Breck patrollers won a pay raise for veterans, plus perks for housing and equipment. It was their second successful contract.
