Park City, Utah – Utah ski patrollers returned to work Thursday after a nearly two-week strike, ending a disruption at Park City Mountain Resort during a peak holiday season. The strike, triggered by labor disputes over pay, concluded after the union accepted a new contract.
The Park City Ski Professional Ski Patrol Association secured a significant pay increase, including a $2-per-hour base-pay hike and raises for senior patrollers. This marked a successful negotiation, demonstrating the power of collective action for ski and mountain workers.
Negotiations began in March but stalled, leading to the strike. The union cited unfair bargaining tactics from Vail Resorts, the resort's owner. The timing of the strike, coinciding with heavy snowfall and the holiday rush, created significant inconvenience for skiers.
While some skiers voiced support for the striking patrollers, chanting "Pay your employees!" on social media, Vail Resorts expressed regret for the disruption. "We look forward to welcoming back the patrollers and working together as one team," said Bill Rock, Vail Resorts' mountain division president.
The union sought a substantial pay increase from $21 to $23 per hour, citing the high cost of living in Park City, a resort town with a high average home price of over $1.5 million. The agreement achieved a $4 average increase for senior patrollers, and significant additional compensation for patrollers with longer tenures.
Vail Resorts contended they had already offered generous compensation. A 50% pay increase in 2022, from $13 to $21 an hour, was cited as evidence of prior good faith efforts.
Labor disputes in the ski industry are not unusual, but this prolonged strike drew attention due to its timing. One industry observer pointed out the potential strategic calculation behind Vail Resorts' handling of the negotiations during the holiday season.
Ski patrollers play a vital safety role in maintaining terrain conditions, responding to accidents, and managing avalanche risk. Many patrollers hold additional summer employment in various outdoor industries.
Successful labor negotiations, such as those recently seen in the airline, port, and entertainment industries, have set a precedent, suggesting the potential for further advancements in ski worker compensation.
