Industry News
In a landmark decision, the Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol Union (ABSPU) has officially voted to join the Communications Workers of America (CWA) 7781 United Mountain Workers, marking a significant step for the ski patrol team in their push for fair representation and better working conditions. The announcement, made via social media, highlighted the challenges faced by the patrol throughout the unionization process.
“This pushed everyone mentally and physically, but in the end, we have come together and decided to unionize,” the union stated, expressing gratitude to staff, community members, and other unionized patrols for their support. The decision comes after months of organizing, during which the patrol overcame numerous obstacles to secure representation. ABSPU acknowledged the encouragement from other unionized ski patrol teams, whose experiences helped inspire their own efforts to “stoke the fire for unionization.”
By joining the CWA 7781 United Mountain Workers, the Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol becomes part of a growing movement among ski patrollers across the country seeking fair wages, improved working conditions, and a stronger voice in their workplaces. The team expressed pride in their collective achievement and optimism for the road ahead. With solidarity at the heart of their efforts, the ABSPU now looks forward to engaging in contract negotiations to advocate for their members and enhance their contributions to guest safety and the broader ski community.
The Arapahoe Basin Ski Patrol’s unionization comes amid a wave of labor action in the ski industry. Just weeks ago, the Park City Ski Patrol ended a high-profile strike after reaching an agreement with Vail Resorts, securing improved wages and working conditions. Meanwhile, the Keystone Ski Patrol Union is actively negotiating its first contract with Vail Resorts, emphasizing fair pay and better support for their critical work. These developments clearly show a trend of ski patrollers across the country organizing to address longstanding concerns about compensation and working conditions in an industry vital to mountain communities.
