“Peaks and Pride: Striking Ski Patrollers Conquer Disputes, Return to Soaring Success at America’s Largest Ski Mecca”
Title: Utah’s 200 Ski Patrollers Return to Work After Two-Week Strike, Accept New Labor Contract
Utah’s 200 ski patrollers returned to work on Thursday after a nearly two-week strike that resulted in the closure of many ski trails and impacted the ski season at the country’s largest ski area, Park City Mountain Resort. The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association, which represents the ski patrollers, declared victory, stating that Vail Resorts, the owner of Park City Mountain Resort, accepted its key demands, including a $2-an-hour base wage increase and a pay increase for advanced skiers.
The strike began on December 27, after negotiations with Vail Resorts stalled, with the union accusing the company of unfair bargaining practices. The union is seeking a pay increase to bring the starting wage to $23 an hour, citing a sharp rise in inflation and a well-above-average cost of living in Park City. The union is also seeking higher pay for senior ski patrollers, permanent workers, and patrol officers with the longest service.
In a statement, Seth Dromgool, a ski patroller and the union’s chief negotiator, said, “This contract is not just a win for our team, it is a breakthrough success for the ski and mountain worker industry. This effort shows what can be accomplished when workers come together and fight for what they deserve.”
Vail Resorts, which claims to be the world’s largest mountain resort operator, has maintained that it has been generous to ski patrol officers, citing a 50% increase in base pay from 2019 to 2022. However, the union claims that the raises are not sufficient to keep up with the cost of living in Park City.
The strike, which coincided with the busy holiday season, has had an impact on skiers and the local economy. Despite the disruption, some skiers have shown support for the strikers, chanting “Pay your workers!” in a video posted on social media.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What was the main issue in the strike?
A: The main issue was the union’s demand for a pay increase to bring the starting wage to $23 an hour, citing a sharp rise in inflation and a well-above-average cost of living in Park City.
Q: What was the outcome of the strike?
A: The strike ended with Vail Resorts accepting the union’s key demands, including a $2-an-hour base wage increase and a pay increase for advanced skiers.
Q: How long was the strike?
A: The strike lasted for nearly two weeks, from December 27 to January 13.
Q: What is the significance of the strike?
A: The strike is significant because it shows the power of unionization and collective bargaining in securing meaningful employer concessions.
Conclusion:
The strike by Utah’s 200 ski patrollers is a significant victory for the union and a breakthrough success for the ski and mountain worker industry. The union’s demands for a pay increase and improved working conditions have been met, and the strike has shown the impact that workers can have when they come together to fight for what they deserve. The outcome of the strike sets a precedent for future labor negotiations and serves as a reminder of the importance of collective bargaining and unionization.
