(RightIsRight.co) – Igniting frustration among visitors and employees alike, Park City Mountain Resort faces a crisis amid its busiest season as the Park City Professional Ski Patrollers Association demands a $2 wage increase.
The chaotic strike started in late December, marking an unprecedented event as ski patrollers nationwide pushed for fair wages.
Park City’s slopes remain notably understaffed, exacerbating long lift lines and leaving injured skiers unattended.
Vail Resorts, the operator, attempted to downplay the impact while community support for the patrollers grew.
The patrollers’ union, representing 204 members, accused Vail Resorts of unfair labor practices and bad-faith negotiations.
Meanwhile, Vail stock is dropping, reflecting investor concerns about future sales. The resort manages operations with supervisors and non-union workers, but the guest experience suffers amidst adverse conditions.
Reasons Behind Continuing the Strike:
Vail Resorts' leadership has decided to continue operations despite the strike by the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) because they believe they can maintain mountain operations with non-union ski patrollers and…
— Schimmel (@Schimtastic) January 3, 2025
Efforts continue to resolve the issue with the assistance of a federal mediator. These ongoing negotiations are crucial not only for Park City but also as a precedent for resorts in Breckenridge, Keystone, and Crested Butte.
“We took the $21 number from 2022 and plugged into the government’s Consumer Price Index and that’s how we got $23. So basically we are asking to match inflation,” said Jake Randall, a six-year patroller who represents Keystone’s ski patrol union.
Complicating matters, over two feet of snow recently blanketed the mountain, attracting even more skiers. Yet, instead of the usual 100 patrollers, only 30 to 35 are on duty.
With limited terrain open, Vail Resorts cites the strike and below-average snowfall, although the patrollers argue earlier negotiations could have averted the walkout.
The Keystone patrollers, sharing solidarity, demand a starting wage of $23 an hour, actively protesting alongside Park City.
Meanwhile, Vail Resorts remains firm, offering a 4% wage increase and $1,600 for equipment costs.
Vail Resorts’ negotiation strategy is closely watched by skiers, boarders, and resort workers nationwide.
Visitors have voiced dissatisfaction online, reinforcing the importance of resolving this crisis swiftly to safeguard the winter sports economy and community integrity.
The Park City ski patroller strike serves as a potent reminder of the importance of recognizing and valuing essential workers amid economic shifts.
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