Two hundred ski patrollers in Utah resumed their duties on Thursday after approving a new labor agreement, thus concluding a strike that lasted nearly two weeks. This labor dispute had significant consequences, leading to the closure of multiple trails and creating extensive lift lines at Park City Mountain Resort, especially during the peak winter season.
The Park City Ski Professional Ski Patrol Association celebrated the deal as a victory, revealing that their employer, Vail Resorts from Colorado, accepted crucial demands. Among these were a $2-per-hour base pay rise and increased salaries for long-serving ski patrollers. Seth Dromgoole, a ski patroller and the lead negotiator for the union, characterized the contract as a significant achievement not just for their team, but as a milestone within the ski and mountain worker sector. “This effort demonstrates what can be achieved when workers unite and advocate for their rights,” he stated.
The tentative deal was announced on Tuesday, and union members cast their votes on Wednesday to endorse it. The strike, which commenced on December 27, arose after extended negotiations had stalled, with the union asserting that Vail Resorts was not negotiating in good faith. Coinciding with the bustling holiday season, the strike also occurred during a period marked by over two feet of challenging snowfall at the resort.
Despite the operational challenges, some skiers voiced their support for the striking workers, with chants of “Pay your employees!” surfacing across social media platforms. Bill Rock, president of Vail Resorts’ mountain division, expressed eagerness to have the patrollers back, extending apologies to guests affected by the strike and appreciation for those who kept the resort operational during the interruption.
On the same day, an Illinois resident filed a federal lawsuit against Vail Resorts, asserting that the company had failed to adequately inform customers about the strike. Christopher Bisaillon, who arrived at the resort on December 28 unaware of the work stoppage, reported spending over $15,000 for a week-long family vacation, and claimed he was only able to ski less than ten runs due to the strike disruption. He contended that the company should have forewarned the public about the strike possibility, which had emerged as early as December 16.
Vail Resorts has made no comments regarding the lawsuit, which seeks punitive damages to be determined in court. Meanwhile, amid rising inflation since 2022, the Park City Professional Ski Patrollers Association had pushed for a base wage increase from $21 to $23 per hour. They indicated that a livable wage in Park City, a town situated about 30 miles east of Salt Lake City, would be around $27 per hour, given the local economy where average home prices exceed $1.5 million.
The new agreement includes an average pay increase of $4 per hour for veteran ski patrollers, with certain specialized longstanding employees receiving raises averaging $7.75 more. Additionally, the union advocated for improved pay for its senior-most members, as the current pay scale maxes out after just five years of service.
Vail Resorts, which touts itself as the largest mountain resort operator in the world with 42 locations across three continents, had previously highlighted its commitment to the Park City ski patrollers by providing a 50% base wage increase from $13 to $21 per hour in 2022. They had also proposed a 4% wage increase for most patrollers in addition to $1,600 annually for equipment costs.
While ski labor negotiations are not uncommon, this strike attracted attention as it extended beyond the typical duration, particularly during a high-traffic season. Observers like Alex Kaufman, a former resort marketing executive, noted that the underlying issues likely transcended mere financial or benefit disputes. He opined that Vail Resorts’ decision to allow the situation to linger into the holiday season backfired.
Ski patrollers play a critical role in maintaining safety on the slopes by monitoring terrains, attending to accidents, aiding injured skiers, and managing avalanche risks. Many also take on seasonal jobs during the summer, such as guiding activities like fly-fishing, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting.
In recent months, labor unions have seen significant successes in negotiations, bolstered by strikes from workers in various sectors including those at Boeing, dockworkers on the East and Gulf coasts, video game performers, and hospitality workers on the Las Vegas Strip.
