Industry News
The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA), Utah, is, once again, disappointed with the latest counteroffer presented during ongoing contract negotiations with Vail Resorts. Last night marked the 21st bargaining meeting between PCPSPA and Vail Resorts since May. This counteroffer includes no improvement to benefits and less than a 0.5% wage increase across the unit. Most patrollers would see no difference in their wages, and those affected would only see a minimal wage increase.
PCPSPA has proposed a contract aimed at decompressing pay scales for tenured patrollers with invaluable knowledge and skills, raising the starting wage from $21 to $23 per hour, improving benefits and educational opportunities, and maintaining wage parity with non-unionized Vail Resorts employees. The union emphasizes that these goals are very reasonable, reflect the value of ski patrollers’ work, and address the high cost of living in and around Park City. This wage structure was proposed for a more efficient and productive round of negotiations. Yet, the company has shown unwillingness to meet the unit with a reasonable counteroffer.
Seth Dromgoole, who is in his 17th year patrolling at Park City Mountain and PCPSPA Lead Negotiator, said, “We are bargaining for a contract that allows our members to return year after year and improve the services this patrol provides to our guests – this is good for both our coworkers and the Company. Our wage and benefits proposal is rooted in economic data and market comparisons of other ski patrols. Vail’s refusal to come to the table and make meaningful work towards an agreement is taking a toll on our membership”.
PCPSPA stresses that its negotiators are ski patrollers elected by the union’s membership who dedicate their personal, unpaid time to fighting for a fair contract. At this point, ski patrollers and mountain safety employees have been working without a contract since preseason training started in early October.
“We want to secure a contract that reflects the value that patrollers and mountain safety bring to this mountain. Every unreasonable counteroffer makes it increasingly difficult to continue working without a contract and draws out a process we wanted to have completed before we started working this season.”
– Kate Lips, PCPSPA President and seventh-year patroller at Park City Mountain
This Saturday, December 7, PCPSPA will hold another public picket at the intersection of Canyons Village Road and SR224 and Park Avenue and Deer Valley Drive in Park City, UT, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They requested the community join the demonstration to support the Park City Ski Patrol. Media outlets are also encouraged to join. PCPSPA will continue to advocate for its members and keep the community updated as negotiations continue. Those who cannot make the picket can sign the petition to show Vail Resorts that PCPSPA deserves a fair contract.
When contacted by SnowBrains for comment, Deirdra Walsh, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Park City Mountain, stated, “Park City Mountain is negotiating in good faith with the union that represents its ski patrollers to reach an agreement that continues to demonstrate the great respect we have for our patrollers and the guest service they provide at the resort. Park City Mountain takes seriously its responsibility to care for its thousands of employees, guests and the community.
Walsh added that the negotiations are not impacting mountain operations at Park City and that the resort is open for guests. She further emphasized that Vail Resorts has continuously invested in ski patrol pay and benefits and that the company recognizes the specialized skills of ski patrol crews across Vail Resorts. “Over the past three years, the average wage for ski patrollers across the company, including at Park City Mountain, has increased substantially – far outpacing the rate of wage inflation – resulting in very competitive wages. Our wage proposal includes additional increases consistent with how we reward all employees on an annual basis, with wages this year that would again outpace wage inflation. We are also proud to lead the industry in terms of benefits, perks, training, and the equipment compensation we provide to our ski patrollers.”
Walsh stressed that Park City will remain committed to discussions with the union and are optimistic that an agreement can be reached, given that the organization’s contract offer is consistent with several other contracts accepted and ratified by Vail Resorts’ unionized ski patrols. In addition, Walsh made sure to express her gratitude to all of Park City Mountain’s employees for their hard work and passion for Park City Mountain.
