Park City Ski Patrol Union authorizes strike

Park City Ski Patrol demonstrates during contract negotiations with Park City Mountain Resort on Nov. 23, 2024. Photo: TownLift // Rebecca Brenner

“Despite months of meetings, little progress has been made on a proposed wages, benefits, and education package,” the union stated in a press release announcing the strike authorization

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City ski patrol union announced Saturday that members have unanimously authorized a strike following months of contentious wage negotiations with Vail Resorts. The authorization to strike comes days before the start of Christmas week, traditionally one of the busiest weeks in the ski industry. While Ski Patrol is not currently on strike, the strike authorization with unanimous support represents an escalation in negotiation tactics as they work toward reaching a deal.

“Despite months of meetings, including the most recent bargaining session on the evening of December 12th, little progress has been made on a proposed wages, benefits, and education package,” the union stated in a press release.

Several practice picketing demonstrations occurred in Park City during November, accompanied by a change.org petition that had garnered 2,616 signatures in support of the union as of Saturday.

The Dec. 12 contract negotiation meeting was cut short, Vail Resorts Vice President Deirdra Walsh told the Park Record. “The union walked out of negotiations when we were prepared to discuss their wage proposal,” Walsh said. “We were ready to continue conversations, and it was disappointing to see them refuse any dialogue and leave abruptly.”

Union representatives contend that Vail Resorts has “passed virtually the same economic counterproposal back three times without substantial revisions” since their initial compensation proposal in mid-September.

The union is seeking to raise the starting wage from $21 to $23 an hour, Adequate compensation for the most tenured and experienced patrollers and improved benefits and educational opportunities.

Vail Resorts says that Park City Mountain patrol wages have increased more than 50% over the past four seasons and the average wage for a seasonal patroller at Park City Mountain is over $25/hour. Vail Resorts says the wage proposal includes an average wage increase of 4%, plus a $1,600 equipment allowance

Walsh shared in a statement to TownLift “We are deeply disappointed the union has decided to vote to authorize a strike after refusing to negotiate in good faith or discuss mediation on Thursday, and this approach does not acknowledge that Park City Mountain patrol wages have increased more than 50% in the past four seasons to an average wage of $25/hour. We want to reassure our community, our employees, and our guests that Park City Mountain will remain open with safety as our top priority, regardless of the union’s actions.”

Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association Business Manager Margaux Klingensmith told TownLift that the union has two more negotiation sessions scheduled for Monday and Wednesday this week and hopes for more productive discussions with Vail Resorts. Klingensmith added, “We had a 100% ‘yes’ vote to authorize a strike, with 98.5% participation. This doesn’t mean we have to go on strike, but if the company forces us down that path, our unit is prepared to stand together to secure a fair contract.”