PARK CITY, Utah (ABC4) — The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) has unanimously voted to authorize a strike in their contract negotiations with Vail Resorts.
On Sept. 20, 2024, the union put forth its initial proposal for better wages and benefits, which would be the start of contentious contract negotiations between Park City ski patrol and their partners, Vail Resorts. Moving forward, they said Vail Resorts has passed “virtually the same economic counterproposal back three times without substantial revisions, despite PCPSPA making significant concessions,” according to a press release from the PCPSPA.
Park City ski patrol said that despite months of meetings, including the most recent meeting on Dec. 12, “little progress has been made on a proposed wages, benefits, and education package.”
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Demonstrators outside of a PCPSPA negotiations meeting with Vail Resorts on Dec. 12, 2024 (Courtesy of the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association)
The association said Vail’s current proposal gets rid of “critical wage parity protections” that were previously offered in the expired contract — signed in 2022. As a result, the organization held a strike authorization vote this week, which received a unanimous “yes” among the membership who voted.
“This vote underscores the urgency of resolving these critical issues and the solidarity of the union’s membership,” the release states.
Here are the goals of the union’s next contract with Vail Resorts, provided by the PCPSPA:
Securing a wage and benefit package that allows members to thrive and aligns with the documented cost of living in the Park City area.
Establishing a wage structure that encourages career longevity among employees, fostering a highly skilled and experienced patrol. This benefits both patrollers and Vail Resorts by maintaining safety and excellence on the mountain.
Decompressing the pay scale to ensure tenured patrollers are compensated for their skills, knowledge, and experience. This includes maintaining an industry-leading education and training package.
Keeping wages in step with inflation since 2022. Starting wages were raised to $21 per hour in 2022, but rising costs equate to what should be a $23 starting wage today. Neighboring resort, Deer Valley, recently raised their starting wage to $23.50 and Powder Mountain — another Utah ski resort — starts ski patrollers at $26 an hour.
“These priorities go beyond fair pay—they are essential for creating sustainable careers in ski patrol and ensuring the safety and quality of service on the mountain,” said Kate Lips, PCPSPA president and seventh-year Ski Patroller. “We need Vail Resorts to come to the table with a proposal that reflects the value of our work and the cost of living in this community.”
Members and supporters of the PCPSPA gathered for a demonstration outside of the negotiations meeting on Dec. 12. The demonstration reportedly drew around 120 attendees.
ABC4 has reached out to Vail Resorts for comment.
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.